WOMEN INSPIRING WOMEN 2022
OH.MY.GOSH.
Where do I begin? This year’s (second annual!) Women Inspiring Women event exceeded my expectations x10!
If you’re new here, or new to Inspire + Move on Instagram, let me give you a quick coles notes of what the event is…. I designed Women Inspiring Women as an event inspired by connection + collaboration. I hosted the inaugural event last September, in the middle of a Pandemic (awesome, I know).
Though I had planned the event months ahead of the event date, the event happened to fall just DAYS after my Dad passed away (horrible timing, I know).
I’ve come full circle from the inaugural event and started planning W.I.W 2022 earlier, with goals of being bigger + better than the first year and in support of an incredibly special cause- the charitable foundation I’m setting up in memory of my Dad and brother, the Pigden Family Foundation.
Let’s set the scene, shall we?
The intimate, female, cocktail event is hosted at my home in my backyard oasis. I love a good dress code and the theme for the event is neutrals- it looks absolutely outstanding!
Not only does this photo scream INSPIRING WOMEN but man that neutral attire looks fabulous!!
Guests enjoyed a lovely variety of wines from one of my favorite Ontario wineries, Westcott Vineyards, sugar free vodka cocktails from nude beverages, as well as an Aperol Spritz station (so fun!). They also grazed on nibbles prepared locally, including beautiful charcuterie from the Social Platter.
This year, we welcomed some new partners that CAME.TO.PLAY - including a custom Saje Wellness essential oil bar that guests enjoyed, creating their own blend AND all guests received a $50 gift card to Lee & Me boutique upon the purchase of their ticket. Amazing, right?!
Let’s take a minute for a little LEVEL UP in the Lee & Me department…. we created an Inspire + Move shop in the back corner of the store that was dedicated to Women Inspiring Women, inspired by the netural dress code. It may or may not have been merchandised with my Inspire + Move candles AND photos of me…. like, what?!! Pinch me!!
The buzz surrounding this year’s Women Inspiring Women event was spectacular. I feel like I was having to add more tickets to the event page weekly- that filled my heart with so much love + gratitude.
My goal for the event was to hit a certain number with ticket sales in direct relation to getting the Foundation off the ground.
It was September 9th, about a week out from the event, when Matt and I were in Mexico to celebrate our five year wedding annivesary when I checked the ticket page and saw the summary… WE DID IT! I had tears of joy and overwhelm, in the best way possible, that we did it! It’s amazing how special those wins feel- wins that are so closely tied to your core values, vision and big goals.
A moment for my W.I.W look.
Outfit: Lee & Me
Hair: Bubbles & Blow
Tan: YourTAN
Women Inspiring Women 2022 was blessed with a stunner of a September evening- not too hot, not too cold. The backyard was outfitted with the most fabulous balloon arch thanks to another new partner, The Balloon Babe and every surface was graced with beautiful floral arrangements from our friends at Wheat Queens.
In true Alli fashion, I wanted to continue the theme of making year two BIGGER + BETTER sooooo we also added a raffle, which was SO fun! We received incredible support from local businesses for experiences ranging from beauty to fitness to hospitality. It was a fun way to wrap up the evening and it was also an amazing way to raise more money for the Foundation. Holy smokes I’m so grateful for everyone that supported, between the fantastic items that were donated but also the support from all the women in attendance.
When I think of this year’s event it brings me SO MUCH HAPPINESS! It was truly an unforgettable evening and I’m already excited to plan Women Inspiring Women 2023…. what should we do next?!
A MASSIVE THANK YOU TO THIS YEAR’S WOMEN INSPIRING WOMEN PARTNERS:
and to ALL partners that supported our incredible raffle and a massive thank you to my Chief of Staff, Dani and my beyond supportive husband, Matt.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!