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June 24, 2015
The time of my life: Sneak Peek of our Wedding Video

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The first time I saw this video – I was SOBBBBBBBING.

Being a bride is such a surreal experience – I felt like seeing this video was like seeing my wedding for the first time, even though I lived it. AH it was so beautiful! (Sorry for the gushing!)

When it’s your wedding – at least in my experience – I felt like some moments would go in slow mo, and some would speed up in warped speed, leaving a blur of an amazing day.

Winston and Suzanne Delawar of Suzanne Delawar Studios did an insanely amazing job shooting and photographing our wedding. This is what they call a “Sneak Peek” of the real video. They told us it’s not even our real video, not even our real song. I have no idea how they can top this video but I’m excited to see the real video when it is ready. For now here is a quick 4 min video that captures our amazing, special, gorgeous, exciting, fun and glamorous day. I can’t even believe it was this good, but it was……

 

Jordan & Emily Wedding Video Preview from Suzanne Delawar Studios on Vimeo.
Our vendors out-did themselves!
Thank you to our amazing
Photo and Video: Suzanne Delawar Studios
Wedding Planner: Carrie Zack Events
Floral and Event Designer: Jose Graterol Designs 
Stationary Designer: Laura Damiano Designs
Venue: Fontainebleau Miami
String Trio: Armonia Music
Fusion DJ and instruments: Rock With U
Wedding dress: Emily Brickel Bridal, designed by ME! for custom orders email Emily@EmilyBrickel.com

Hope that inspires you!
xoxo
Emily

www.etsy.com/shop/EmilyBrickel

Follow me on Instagram @EmilyBrickel

May 7, 2015
The Countdown is ON!

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Check me out at Saks Fifth Avenue Live Illustrating for Chic Sketch x Viktor & Rolf

So as you may have noticed I have not been blogging in a while! While I miss it so much I have been constantly non-stop and haven’t had a second to myself. Between my business, our new company Chic Sketch and wedding Planning, things have certainly been hectic and exciting.
Here is a little recap on what I’ve been up to…

I have had an amazing time live sketching at:
Carolinna Espinosa
Sears
Bene Rialto

Live sketching for Chic Sketch at:
Cartier
Aerosols
Viktor & Rolf in partnership with L’Oreal and Saks Fifth Avenue

We flew into Miami just for this event in-store! We also had 8 doors across the country that participated with the Chic Sketch promotion for the 1 year anniversary of the fragrance Bonbon by Viktor & Rolf!

We are working on tons of new exciting projects and will be very busy in the next few months! I can’t wait!!

I am so blessed to be able to do what I love and make a living doing it!

On top of that we are currently 23 days away from Our Wedding!!!!!

We had my bridal shower and bachelorette party and I am putting the finishing touches on my dress which I designed and am having made!  Jordan’s tux will be custom made as well and I have been doing everything for my wedding dress from choosing the fabric, dealing with fabric deliveries, picking up zippers and notions, getting fitted (multiple times) draping my train, making design edits and more.

I have selected all of my jewelry and accessories, gotten all the details for my bridesmaids, am working on special touches all around our wedding, working with my wedding planner and decorator to make it special for our unique personalities and hopefully not look like a wedding anyone’s ever seen before! We are incorporating my love of fashion and Jordan’s love or technology into everything we do and have some very special and personal touches lined up all around.

It’s the last few weeks and me and my fiancé are both sick! (And that’s probably why I’ve had a moment to sit down – while waiting for a subway train to head to the garment district for my gown- to write this- yes I am writing this on the subway platform!!!!)

We have called in the big guns, going to get some antibiotics (can you believe we need that) and I am trying to take some r&r while I know that is nearly impossible given all the things left to do.

I am focusing on wrapping up my custom orders, continuing my workout routines, doing some at home DIY facials (organic honey on a clean face for 20 minutes- trust me it’s amazing – it is a natural humectant and antibacterial, then coconut oil as a moisturizer) and making sure my skin, hair, nails and I physique are on point.

We are leaving for Miami a week before the big day so we can get my dress down there (it has its own Plane ticket) as well as all the details and things that we need to pack.

We thought a destination wedding would be less stressful then having it in NY but I don’t think I realized that we basically need to ship the whole wedding down to our venue.

Anyway I just wanted to fill you in and let you know that as you can guess, I need to take a little hiatus from my weekly blogs but I hope to get back on my regularly scheduled weekly inspiration after I go from Miss. to Mrs. Sometime in mid to end of June when we get back from our mini-moon in Miami!

Hope that inspires you to live the life you want to live and to remember to take some quality “me” time when you need it and make sure not to wear yourself out.

With all of my love,

Emily

Follow me on Instagram @EmilyBrickel

 

March 26, 2015
It’s what you do with it!

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Illustration of Rihanna in Dior

I know I have been slacking on the blog posts lately, but it is with good reason.  March has been a whirlwind and I can’t believe the month is nearly over.

We spent the first week in Miami, at the Fontainebleau wedding planning. We had our tasting, met with our amazing floral designer, photographer, videographer and music, not to mention AMAZING wedding planner and catering manager! We have been getting so much done I am SO happy!!!

My wedding dress, (that I have designed) is in final production now, the fabric is purchased and it is going to be ready so soon! A dream come true – I have always wanted to design my own wedding dress and it is BEYOND amazing and everything I could have ever wanted. It is so magnificent I can’t wait to wear it and show you all!!

Jordan and I designed his TUX and it is getting made.
Invitations went out (most of them anyway), flights are booked, Rabbi is booked, and so many more details have been arranged.

We are in the final stretch of the last 2 months and It’s still going to be crazy, stressful yet fun.

For the second week of March, we went to Washington DC for Jordan to represent New York State for the Small Business Association SBDC for Appetizer Mobile and I got to represent Chic Sketch and sketch congress men, congress women and VIPS on Capitol Hill.

Chic Sketch has been taking off garnering press in Allure, Huffington Post, Glamour, Refinery 29 and many more blogs as well as international publications! Chic Sketch is going global.

This morning I had an amazing interview at my old stomping grounds, FIT (The Fashion Institute of Technology) interviewing me as an alumni to talk about my career!  Big thanks to Professor Cooper!

So, I may have missed a few blogs, and I may miss a few more until after my wedding but I’ll keep you updated!!!

On another note…. Are you wondering how it all gets done and I keep my sanity? Well, for starters – it’s not easy.  But I make sure to work out and meditate as much as I can. Taking time for myself lets me recollect my thoughts, take care of my body, mind and soul so that I can be on my game. And… if the day calls for a power nap (if I have the opportunity) I’ll TAKE IT!!

Hope that inspires you to keep keepin on with your dreams!
xoxo
Emily

Follow me on Instagram @EmilyBrickel

February 27, 2015
Perspective is everything….

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Illustration of Kendal Jenner at the Fendi Runway Show FW15

Perspective is everything….

From “black and blue” or “gold and white” dress bombarding the internet (if you have no idea what I’m taking about catch up on your social media feeds) to the biggest of fights, perspective is everything.

Tonight I gave a whirl to watercolor (something I haven’t touched in YEARS) and also played around with tablet sketches on the Samsung Galaxy Note that I have just been learning.

Obviously my hand sketches in marker and ink are the ones I am most comfortable and have a higher skill level at because I have done it so often, but its so important to step out of your shell for a bit, especially since I have been drawing a ton and also been exposed to so many other techniques this fashion week.

Here is the side by side comparison. Same artist (me), same photo, same night, different mediums and different levels of control.  See how there can be two sides of a story and two experiences of the same thing.

Trying new things always makes room for a fresh perspective.

What can you take a new perspective on?

Speaking of perspective… I’ll be getting a new one next week as I’ll be on a much needed work/wedding planning VACATION to our destination location! 3 months and counting people here it is! The stress of planning this wedding and everything else has definitely been catching up to me so I am ready for a rest and some nice warm weather!!!!!  Catch ya in 2 weeks people… I’m out for the count. You may miss my blog next week but be sure to follow my adventures on social media. (Links below). Ciao for now! xx

Hope that inspires you!

xo
Emily

 

Follow me on Instagram @EmilyBrickel

February 20, 2015
And……. We made it! Fashion Week Recap

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Live Illustration at Back Stage Nicole Miller for Chic Sketch


And……. We made it! 

The Chic Sketch Launch and Fashion week has come and gone and it was SUCH an amazing experience! I was asked to be one of the two guest Illustrators for The Style Line this season and what a ride it was! Getting to go backstage to all the shows, a back-to-back runway show schedule every day, rubbing elbows with top models, designers, makeup artists and hairstylists was super exciting and very cool.

Lily Qian (my fellow illustrator) and I were creating quick rough sketches to draw what we saw, as if we were visual journalists, capturing the beauty, the hair looks and of course, the FASHION!  I loved that we both had such different styles. What a privilege it was to be the first of the first eyeballs to see the collections and inspirations of these designers, before they even walk down the runway! It was truly one of my dreams come true!

I was also asked to live illustrate at two of the top shows for Chic Sketch at Nicole Miller and Noon By Noor. Such an amazing experience! The response that Chic Sketch is getting is incredible and we are so grateful for all those involved and all of you who have downloaded and LOVE the app!  You can download it here (link)

SO here I am, thankfully able to recoup today from the most insanely hectic week (that felt like a month, with all the planning involved!), collect my thoughts and rest my drawing arm. I must have drawn for like 40 hours straight this week and that is a lot! I am insanely grateful for the opportunities I’ve been presented with and all the opportunities and blessings that I know are to come.

In the eye of the storm, nothing else matters but getting the looks down, creating the art, being inspired and connecting with the fashion and beauty. It’s pretty cool, and that’s what I live for.

Click on the links below to see all the images!

Hope my art can inspire you!
xoxo
Emily

Check out The Style Line for our virtual sketchbook and my review of the shows here!

Check out my instagram to see my escapades from the week! @EmilyBrickel

Download Chic Sketch here! In the iTunes app store or for Android.

 

Follow me on Instagram @EmilyBrickel

January 8, 2015
Out with the Old…

 

Illustration for Filomena Grossi,
One of my client’s Custom Holiday Illustrations for her parents!

In with the new!

Sometimes there is something so magical about saying no.

I have been noticing that this has become a recurrent theme in my life over the last few months, yet I notice I push through and have a habit of saying yes anyway.

I heard once, if it’s not a HELL YES, it’s a HELL NO. – Danielle Laporte
However, I have a learned habit of not giving up, pushing harder and making it happen –sometimes against my own intuition.

If spring is for spring-cleaning, then January of the New Year is for clearing out the old. Time to get rid of the stagnant, the things that just don’t work for you, the toxic relationships, the draining ones and the things that don’t excite you anymore.

Life is about GROWTH and expansion.  This year, starting now I have decided I will adopt this behavior, and try (yes try since this is against my ingrained habits to always attempt to make every one ELSE happy first) to really say NO with GUSTO when I feel the need.

Reasons for saying HELL NO instead of accepting with regret:

  1. When you don’t want to hurt someone’s feelings, yet the thing you are about to do will deeply affect you in a negative way.

Whether this is about stress, emotional, physical or mental drain – if it is an excessive amount that will likely adversely affect you more than the person you are saying yes to, it’s time to assert your NO.

There is nothing wrong with being polite while saying “No, you simply cannot do this.” Tell the person upfront, be decisive and clear.

I have been on BOTH ends of this. Insisting I can do something I don’t want to do for the mere fact of pleasing the other person. And regretted it. Moved on of course, but looking back I don’t want to repeat those types of decisions.

I have also been the one to push for a yes, not clearly understanding why the other person cannot do something, and getting let down in a major way.  Because while their effort to “slip out gracefully” was heavily drenched in good intention, they left out the real reasons they could not or did not want to do something (in attempt to be polite) – leaving a collateral train wreck in their departure.
People if this is you PLEASE be transparent, clear and authentic. You will save a lot of hurt feelings that way.  People are way more likely to understand if you go into the explanation a bit of what you are going through. If you are friends or family you will bond even more deeply by being vulnerable and up front.  The person you are saying no to will not only be fine with your decision, but also encourage you to do what you need to do.

Don’t taint this with a hazy cloud of BULL-SHIIIII-ITZA leaving your friend questioning your relationship all together.

OTHERWISE YOU JUST LOOK SHADY!!! You may think it is “none of their business” but sometimes you have to let people in a little to have compassion for you and understand your motives.

Doing so will save a friendship, save a relationship and omit any feelings of anger and hurt.

Don’t be either of these people.

  1. To make space for something GREATER and much BETTER and more aligned with your truth and vision.

 
This is a GREAT, if not AMAZING reason for saying no to something. Saying no to work that no longer serves you, obligations that drain your energy and take you away from something else that could be creating MORE abundance in your life.
 
Having said that.
I may or may not decide to take a blogging break next week and see how it feels.  A tremendous part of me does not want to go a week with out blogging, while an even bigger part of me is exhausted, has powered through the last few months, holiday weeks and all – working and not taking any time off.
 
I have big things I am in the midst of planning (+ a big dose of wedding planning will get you in the No mode real fast!), and I need some creative space to do so.  Saying this to you feels fresh, energizing and alleviating.
 
Who knows, next week I may be up to it – or I may not be.  But I do know that when I come back I will be fresher than EVA.
 
And on that note….
 
I invite YOU to make a “SAY NO” list and say out with the Old!
Hope that inspires you for the New Year ahead!
xo
Emily 

Follow me on Instagram @EmilyBrickel

 

December 31, 2014
Wishes for a Brand New Year

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Here we are again,

like we hopefully will be for many more years to come… at the start of something new, something full of hope, full of aspirations, full of excitement and anticipation.

A Brand New Year.

A brand new open space, for some filled also with uncertainty, curiosity and emptiness all at the same time.

What will we fill our calendar pages with this year? What will the future hold?  Who will we meet, who will we be distanced from – for one reason or another?

This blog postmarks the 4th YEAR anniversary of my blog.
A blog I started on January 1st in an effort to inspire myself, because at that moment inspiration was something I was lacking.  I wanted to create my own inspiration, so that is what I set out to do.

2015 is going to be an amazing year for me! I can feel it! It is my wedding year, and a year to start many new amazing ventures and exciting things that I have planned. I can’t wait to see what tomorrow will bring and I wish you all an amazing year as well!

I want to end this post with some parting words, words that have definitely changed my life in more ways than one.

May these words inspire YOU to live your best life ever. To reach for the stars. To change your thoughts and your habits so that you can create your destiny.

“Watch your beliefs, they become thoughts;
watch your thoughts, they become words;
watch your words, they become actions;
watch your actions, they become habits;
watch your habits, they become character;
watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.” Ancient quote

Hope that inspires you!!
Here’s to an amazing new year!
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL!
xoxo
Emily

Follow me on Instagram @EmilyBrickel

December 25, 2014
Peace on Earth – A Holiday Wish

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Illustration by me! It looks different doesn’t it! Hand drawn and gold foil effect. Hope you like it! 

I think that there was never a better time to wish, and I mean really wish for peace on earth.

Today is Christmas Eve and no matter what you celebrate, in the holiday spirit, I wish for you and all of your family to have peace, love, health, happiness and laughter on this day and this holiday season!

My prayers go out to those families this holiday season who have been touched by the recent shootings and unnecessary violence all through out our country.

My hope is that this coming year shines light on the good that there is in the world and calms the fears, violence, uneasiness and hatred that is so prevalent in our country and in other countries.

We really are just one.  ONE huge pulse, one huge heart, one huge energy and one huge soul that unites us all and pulses through every single human in our world.  The UNI-verse, is here to UNIte, not divide.  We really are not that different. We all want love, security, faithfulness, happiness and success. We all crave acceptance, to be heard and to feel needed and worthy. We do look different on the outside, but on the inside we are all made of flesh and bones, easily torn apart buy bullets or blades, fragile and helpless – we are not made of steel.

It’s time to remember that “An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.” – Ghandi.

Once we realize this, that we are all brothers and sisters; and that we should fight for the greater good of our planet and quell petty wars and fights like children fighting over toys and land, then we will really achieve peace and freedom.

I hope that the people of the world wake up soon and stop worrying about who is right, and start focusing on being happy.

Cheers to all, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanza and a Happy, Bright, amazing and exciting New Year 2015!

Hope that inspires you to be the change you wish to see in the world!
All my love,
Emily

December 18, 2014
How to turn your day around in 6 easy steps!

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Illustration of the beautiful Beyonce

So last night, I got 4 hours of sleep after a full crazy and hectic day of running around with back to back meetings and projects all day. This was after I had been rushing to get ready yesterday morning in under 15 minutes. If you know me, you know that 15 minutes is NOT enough time for me to get ready.

So today after a long day and week so far with 4 hours sleep (and you know I need my sleep!!) we had to get up extra early to get ready before the hot water in our building was turned off for scheduled maintenance. Yet, to my surprise the water was nothing short of frigid before the scheduled time.

This week has also been a very exciting one with amazing new projects and ton of orders, and extremely busy at the same time. Sprinkled in the mix this weekend was some personal family health issues that are thankfully now resolved. All of that combined plus I have been overwhelmed (in a good way) with last minute holiday orders that are all going out all this week.

Needless to say, I was very cranky this morning.

So today’s blog is about turning around your day.  Anything from getting up on the wrong side of the bed, or even just being in a bad, angry, stressed or anxious mood at any point of the day, believe me it is totally possible.

1) First, take some extra time for YOU if you are able to.
Spend an extra 5-10 minutes in your bathrobe while you eat breakfast.  Make or get a nice healthy and hearty meal for yourself that you can sit down for at least 10 minutes and slowly enjoy (as opposed to eating while pacing back and forth between the bedroom and bathroom while doing my makeup as per usual in the am!).

At any point in your day, when you feel the tone taking a turn for the worst, stop and take some time for you.  Take a walk outside, grab a snack, call a friend, just do something that makes you happy that’s a quick pick me up.

2) Stop and take a nice deep breath. Center yourself and calm it down.

3) Next think of all the things you DO have, and how grateful you are for them. The heat in your apartment, your food, the fact that you even have hot water to be turned off for maintenance, your clothes, your work, family, significant other and friends etc. The list can go on and on but literally think of all the things that you are grateful for, especially this time of year.

It’s so easy to get in the “wrong” holiday mood -I’m talking about Grinch mode here – with all the festiveness, crowds, spending and holiday marketing pressuring you to feel happy. Sometimes it just has an adverse effect.

Now is the time to center into what it really means for YOU to enjoy the holidays, and that doesn’t mean blowing your bank account on things you think you need to be spending on.  Things like family, friends and how much we have already are really important things to remind yourself of, particularly when around every corner you are being prompted to also NEED this new shiny thing.

4) Treat yourself. Today I treated myself with a grande… did I say grande? I mean Venti soy Oprah Chai latte, an Ethos water and a gluten free, dairy free chocolate peanut butter cup pack from Justin’s organic at Starbucks. The $10 I spent was completely worth it since I have a long time ago cut off my Starbucks spending unless for things that I deem “special occasions”.  To me, “special occasions” qualify as getting 4 hours sleep and deserving to feel good and awake at my next meeting.

You decide what you need for the day.

5) Listen to your body. Lately I have been feeling claustrophobic with all the winter layers I have been wearing, so today I opted for bulkier, baggier more comfortable yes still obviously chic apparel.  Your body knows what it needs, even those little details, so listen to it closely.

6) And if all else fails, use this little trick that I leaned a while ago from one of my spiritual guru’s seminars. Sing to yourself (in your head please) to the tune of any of your favorite songs, but because it’s being played everywhere I have been signing it lately to Mariah Carey’s “All I want for Christmas is you.” I changed the words I my head to repeating the mantra “I’m so grateful”. Now sing it in your head to that tune and fill the words in that you want. Trust me this may sounds silly, juvenile or whatever you want to say but it is guaranteed to make you feel better, happy and grateful and a sure fire way to turn around your day.

Hope that helps on a day that you need the extra inspiration!!!

Xoxox
Emily.

Follow me on Instagram @EmilyBrickel

December 4, 2014
Following what moves you….

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We are all moved in various directions,

moment to moment and on a daily basis.   What are we being moved TOWARDS is the question one must ask on a consistent basis.

As human beings we all have this innate antenna invisibly placed inside our heads and hearts from the moment we are born.  Following it is the hard part. We are taught to actually go AGAINST our own intuition, against our better judgment. To instead, listen to our elders, follow orders, don’t question authority and seek what we are taught is the “right thing to do”.  But that may not be what is right for us.  The “right thing” may not be accurate anymore. Times have changed.  I am not only talking about morals and ethics here. I am talking about following your own path. Making up your own mind. Carving out your future based on what YOU feel good about. Trusting your internal antenna and where it is guiding you.

It’s about expressing your own opinion, your own creativity and your own judgment on how to live your life.  What is right and wrong for YOU.  It’s about what steps to take and where you want to go.  Following the preordained path of how to do this or that, how to live a “successful” life is not black and white.  The path is not a conveyor belt.  Step off and live YOUR life. 

Don’t like how things are run? Change them. You don’t agree with what’s going on in our world? Try to fix them! Tell someone. Stand up for your beliefs, in a peaceful manner, always.  See something; say something – as the old New York adage goes.

What’s right is right and what’s wrong is wrong?  Not always the case anymore.

I feel so angered by what is going on in the world, in the media, on the news. So many crazy things happening, what is this world coming to?  I feel like it seems to get worse every year.  I feel so helpless to change it.

However, I know that all it takes is one voice. One voice to make it ok for others to remember that this is not what is right for our world now.  It’s the tipping point.  It’s about taking a stand.  It is so confusing because protests are stemming from a place of taking a stand, yet HOW it is handled and executed makes all the difference.   I am not saying I have all the answers, but I am saying that if we ALL listened to our own internal antenna, the one placed deep down there at birth, the one that is not tarnished by what society tells us to think or believe. The antenna that is not aware of stereotypes, of heartaches, of judgment, of race.  If we listened to that inner voice deep and buried behind the hurt, the anger – the voice of peace, of goodness and of love- maybe we would all be one step closer to living in a much healthier world.

Hope that inspires you,
Xoxo
Emily

Follow me on Instagram @EmilyBrickel

LAST call on custom Holiday Illustrations! Email me now at Emily@EmilyBrickel.com for rush orders!

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