As we welcome a new calendar year we often find ourselves planning, reflecting, and goal setting for the year ahead. Yearly goals can include a wide range of aspirations including more travel, professional growth, becoming more physically fit, or starting a spiritual journey. No matter the goal, a great way to help keep you accountable is to create a vision board. You are 42 percent more likely to achieve your goals if you write them down. Getting your goals down on paper not only forces you to get clear on what, exactly, it is that you want to accomplish, but doing so plays a part in motivating you to complete the tasks necessary for your success.

A vision board is a visual representation of your goals. Typically seen in a poster board formats, vision boards include a visual display of inspiring images and text that relate to your goal(s) and vision(s) for the year ahead. Creating a vision board is a wonderful first step to showing up as the best version of yourself in 2021. Here are our tips to create your new year vision board:

Step 1: Ask yourself some guiding questions

Before you start cutting magazines to create your vision board, begin by reflecting on what it is you really want by asking yourself a few simple questions. These questions may be specific to you & your dream life, but some general ones to guide you are:
– What do I value?
– What needs would I like met?
– What do I want out of life?
– How do I want to feel?

We suggest taking some time to gain clarity, then grabbing a journal to answer these questions.

Bonus Option: Create a tag line or affirmation to represent your vision board.

Step 2: Organize your needs & wants

Review your answers to the questions answered in step 1, and categorize each into groups. Some areas that may come out naturally include: health & wellness, travel, relationships, financial, and/or personal growth. An easy way to do this is to underline each with a different color marker or pen to represent the various categories.

Step 3: Write down your goals

We are taking it back to school with this one, focusing on SMART goals. We will use our categorized needs & wants from the first two steps to become even more clear on exactly what we would like to see come to fruition.

As a reminder, SMART goals are:
Specific
Measurable
Achievable
Realistic
Time Bound

This is not to say you shouldn’t dream big, more importantly this will give you guidance to feel like even your biggest dreams are attainable.

Step 4: Decide on your medium

In this age, you may consider using an app to create a digital vision board. This allows for easy editing as well as less paper waste.

However, you need a break from being on a screen all day, or a reason to use up old magazines, the traditional route may be more suited for you. Physically making a vision board to become crystal clear on your goals is a perfect activity to enjoy alone, or with other members of your household.

Both mediums have their benefits, so you really cannot go wrong here. Take a look at the resources below to help make your decision.

Digital vision board resources:
– Vision Board: a free app that allows you to create, edit, update, and track your goals from your phone. You can upload your own images, set specific dates for your goals, and create multiple boards at once.
– Canva: a free app that allows you to create a wide range of digital designs. This works both on your desktop, or as an app on your phone so you have some flexibility. This is a much more abstract tool with a ton of creative freedom.
– Pinterest: this may be a helpful tool for both planning or executing your vision board. Use it as an image search engine, means for inspiration, or as a way to gather and organize the imagery you will use elsewhere.

Physical vision board resources:
– Old magazines, photos, books, or items that you don’t mind cutting up.
– Glue, scissors, and/or tape will likely be needed to execute.
– Paint, glitter, or other mediums you would like to include that provide positivity or inspiration.
– A piece of cardboard or card stock may be useful to create your vision board on so it holds it shape once you begin adding items.

Whichever you choose, let this process reflect you as an individual and the life you want to live. If you desire more simplicity, but you’d like to make a physical vision board, create something that reflects exactly that.

Bonus Option: Create a vision journal to answer your questions, create your vision board, and reflect daily, even if you are on the go.

Step 5: Dedicate a time & space to get creative

Now that we have gotten crystal clear on all that we desire, the goals we will meet to achieve our dream life, and what mediums we will use, it’s finally time to begin! We suggest setting aside specific time to focus on bringing your vision to life to minimize distractions and maximize focus. You’ll want to collect all your supplies and ensure you have plenty of room to feel comfortable and work as needed.

We also recommend adding some inspiring music, aromatherapy, and/or stretching before hand to reset your space and mindset. Making a vision board to become crystal clear on your goals, dreams, and desires only works if you are present in the process.

Once you get started, let yourself flow, and have fun with it!

Step 6: Display it in a visual place

Whether you created a digital or physical vision board, it is important to place it somewhere visual when it is completed. Even if you created a digital version, consider investing a few dollars to have it printed so you can hang it in your home or office.

Bonus Option: Take a photo, or save your digital version, to use as the background of your laptop and/or phone.

Step 7: Visit your vision board daily

Each day, take a few moments to look at your vision board. This may be beneficial in morning or the evening, depending on your lifestyle. When you are not distracted, carefully examine every aspect and imagine how it could exist in your life. Consider how each item makes you feel. If you are a spiritual person, consider praying or saying a daily affirmation as you visit your vision board.

If you’d like, consider adding a note, or gold star, to each item as they come to fruition in your life.

Additionally, we recommend revisiting your SMART goals regularly and ask yourself how you can work towards each. It is important you do the work in your daily life, in addition to visualizing what you want and need.

Bonus Option: Recreate or add to your vision board at different stages of your life. It could even be fun to make one with your soon-to-be-spouse to vision a marriage you both desire.

Regardless of the time of year, your age, or life status, there is always room for growth. By creating a vision board using the steps above, you will gain clarity to your deepest desires, outline goals to achieve them, and continually inspire yourself to strive for a life you deserve.

We recently had the honor of checking out one of the Silicon Valley’s premier event locations, Blanco Urban Venue. This stunning venue in the heart of San Jose was the ideal backdrop for our recent staff headshots. It would also make the perfect backdrop for any number of events. Here’s a look at a few of the best features of Blanco Urban Venue, as told by Amazáe Events.

Starting with the entrance, the soft adobe walls and arched features create a warm welcome in the center of downtown location.

As mentioned, this gorgeous venue is located in the center of San Jose, CA, with close proximity to both McEnery Convention Center and SAP Center.

There is over 12,000 square feet available among the three story venue. The variety of spaces, including indoor and outdoor options, allow for an intimate feeling among guests no matter the size of event. The rooftop allows for a stunning urban backdrop extended beyond the venue itself.

Blanco Urban Venue combines modern luxury and historic architecture with the preservation of 150 year old brick walls from the original building structure.

Another amazing feature of Blanco Urban Venue we must highlight is the outdoor fireplace. This incredible focal point would make an amazing backdrop for a ceremony, a cozy cocktail hour, or a romantic space to dance the night away.

We love how the each feature makes a subtle statement without overwhelming the space.

Around each corner there is a unique element, or beautiful texture to capture your attention. The elegant and interesting yet simple backdrop is ideal for hosting an intimate event that can be captured for guests to attend virtually. Speaking of, the venue has a 360 virtual tour available on The Knot so you can view the space from the comfort of your own home.

The clock is another one of the best features of Blanco Urban Venue. This classic focal point reminds us of Cinderella, in the most wonderful way.

Balancing the urban vibes with the classic historic features creates warmth with a modern edge. The entire space is extremely photogenic, which is why we chose it as the location for our recent team headshots. We are so grateful to Katherine Bee Walker and her team at b33 Studios for capturing our team so safely and professionally.

For more information about this stunning destination in the heart of San Jose, check out the website. We’d be happy to facilitate an introduction if you prefer. We have only shared a few of the spaces best features. Trust us, you do not want to miss a chance to host at the iconic Blanco Urban Venue.

Between intimate events are on the rise and travel becoming more intentional, destination events are an ideal way to celebrate life & its many milestones. Whether you’re looking to host a romantic wedding in the Italian countryside, celebrate a birthday in a new country, or wine and dine your VIP clients in a picturesque tropical destination, we have you covered. Here are fifteen stunning venues across the globe that offer a premier experience all around.

Photos: Larissa Cleveland Photography

Grand Velas Los Cabos is a luxury, all-inclusive resort in the premier destination of Los Cabos, Mexico. The property is sprawling with traditional architecture, spacious pools, climbing bougainvillea, and sweeping views of the coastline. Additionally, there is a complete golf course and high end spa to keep all guests entertained and even more at ease. Awarded 5 diamonds by AAA, this luxury resort brings together contemporary design with traditional style for a world class experience all around. Andaz Maui at the Wailea Resort is a dream destination in the Hawaiian Islands. Beachfront ceremonies create the ideal backdrop for sunset photos, and multiple intimate venue spaces allow for a truly unique experience. As a Hyatt property, you can rest easy knowing guests will receive a luxury experience when it comes to on-site accommodations. When hosting at Andaz Maui, you’ll work with the Executive Chef to create the perfect menu and dining experience that fits your needs.  Edgewood Tahoe brings elegance to the alpine forest surrounding one of Northern California’s most pristine lakes. The resort offers several event spaces both indoors and outdoors to accommodate a wide range of guest counts as well as the season. Their modern meeting spaces are great for corporate events and their service and amenities will soothe, refresh, reward, and delight your entire team.  Ramscale Studio brings together modern flair and historic industrialism in New York, NY. Set on the West Village with sweeping views, the building is a historic landmark where both Alexander Graham Bell and Thomas Edison worked. This is the perfect venue for anyone who loves a city skyline, especially if they appreciate American history.  Hotel Budir offers an ideal destination for an intimate Icelandic elopement. This quaint, yet breathtaking, venue creates photo-worthy moments effortlessly. A few of the event spaces include the the quaint standalone chapel, the white sandy beach, and the moss landing in the middle of a lava field. 

Petersham Nurseries offers an enchanting getaway located in Richmond, South West London. This venue brings charming greenhouse vibes, showcasing contemporary art, Murano glassware and understated grandeur. This destination is sure to evoke all the senses, particularly site and smell. Petersham Nurseries is the perfect backdrop for an intimate tea garden party that will keep guests swooning for years to come. 

Sri panwa delivers a luxury villa & spa resort experience, complete with private pools, in Phuket Thailand. Located at the top of Cape Panwa this destination offers stunning views including the peninsula. The unique location and unobstructed views offer premier sunrise and sunset viewing. The 52 villas onsite are meant to provide a luxurious yet private experience at tropical destination.

The Taj Lake Palace has hosted guests like Jacqueline Kennedy & Queen Elizabeth and it’s clear to see the drawl for the high end clientele. Taj Lake Palace is an original Historic Royal Residence built in 1746 in the middle of Lake Pichola, so it is literally floating on water.  At Ritz Paris you can dine under the glass ceiling in the shade of the linden trees in the Grand Jardin or you can celebrate surrounded by music from a jazz piano in the ballroom. The possibilities are vast and endless for this iconic location in the heart of Paris. Thalia Haven is another premier Australian destination located on 130-acres of wooded peninsula surrounded by the Great Oyster Bay. Offering access to over 3 miles of secluded coastline complete with a private sandy beach, this venue is sure to provide an unparalleled experience. They have 4 stone buildings sleeping only 8 guests total making Thalia Haven an ideal spot for a very intimate wedding elopement.  Villa Reniella is located in the rolling hills of Tuscany and is nestled among olive groves, lavender fields, and lush vineyards. This exclusive venue offers private accommodations for up to 16 guests and is an idyllic location for a private retreat or intimate celebration. Your rental of the Villa includes a full staff, concierge, and an in house private chef.  The Dolder Grand offers stunning views of Zurich, Switzerland and the event space to match. There are options to accommodate groups ranging from 12 people to 900, all with quality amenities. In addition to the stunning property, The Restaurant offers a truly gourmet experience provided by Chef Fine Dining, Heiko Nieder, earning 19 GaultMillau points and 2 Michelin stars. Petra & Fos Boutique Hotel & Spa offers modern amenities and traditional architecture in the best way. Stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea add to the classic Greek touch of a luxury style resort at this hillside oasis. Not only do they host retreats and weddings but they are the ideal conference destination for corporate as well.  Fogo Island Inn is an innovative space on it’s own island, off another island in Canada, offering 29 unique guest rooms with floor-to-cieling windows of the surroundings. This groundbreaking space provides inspiration in it’s design as well as it’s sustainability efforts, built with both respect for nature and culture in mind.  Laila Villas Uluwatu located in gorgeous Bali, Indonesia is a stunning venue combining modern luxury with tropical simplicity. There are several locations onsite for events, including a breathtaking cabana on a cliff ledge, overlooking the Indian Ocean. This is an ideal venue for the bride looking to host a laid back tropical wedding that still embodies dramatic beauty.  If you are anything like us, we’ve already packed our bags and are ready to head to any one of these incredible locations!  If you are feeling inspired to plan your next destination event, we are here to help. Happy adventures!