Welcome back to She Is, the second in a series of blog posts featuring women in business. I'm taking time to talk with the creatives, doers, and dreamers that I admire the most to learn about their work, thoughts on life, favorite places, and, of course, their jewelry.
Today we talk with Carina Bedor of CB Event Design. Carina has over 15 years experience in delivering on the details: whether it's a high-end corporate event, a glittering gala, or the wedding of the year, her focus is beautiful moments turned into unforgettable memories. She lives and works in Washington, DC.
Lori: How long have you been an event planner and approximately how many events have you planned?
Carina: Planning events and calling myself an event planner didn’t actually align at the same time. I started planning events literally in toddlerhood and my family can testify. My grandmother is the OG super host, with a large family and always ready to whip together a grazing table for any last minute gathering. I 100% take after her and have loved planning everything from family birthday parties to weddings since a young age. I started to formally event plan 15 years ago and I have honestly lost count of the number of events I’ve planned.
Lori: What's your favorite part of your job?
Carina: The day of! Execution is my favorite, I live for the high of thinking on my feet and pivoting to ensure perfection on the event day.
Lori: Tell me your favorite dress code for an event? Like, the one that makes you internally go "yesss" when your client picks it? Or the one you personally like to get dressed for?
Carina: I’m a sucker for any theme. My favorite of all time was a creative twist on black tie when dear friends hosted their wedding in an art museum in Mexico City during Pride weekend. So many awesome elements to lean into - my husband and I spent weeks picking the perfect blend of color and style for a magnificent day!
Lori: You're located in DC, do you have a favorite venue there that you love to work?
Carina: We manage a few rooftops and I couldn’t pick a favorite if I was paid to because any venue with a Capitol skyline view is a winner.
Lori: If you had to describe your own personal style, what would it be?
Carina: I’m going to coin it as sophisticated classic. I’m not a fashionable person and depend on my husband and little sister to keep me cool, they regularly pick out elements that complement my petite frame while highlighting my best features in neutral colors. My preference is to look polished with little effort.
Lori: If you could travel anywhere tomorrow, where would it be?
Carina: Must this be a one answer response? I keep a running list of the 10 places I would go tomorrow if I were so blessed with a paid vacation! If I must pick, maybe Positano or Croatia?
Lori: The best thing you bought yourself lately?
Carina: No lie - more of your jewelry! It makes it so easy for me to elevate my simple style. I get loads of compliments on your pieces.
Lori: (awww, blushing) When it comes to Jewelry: Are you Team Silver or Gold?
Carina: Gold for this tan Latina!
Lori: What's in your everyday jewelry rotation currently?
Carina: The circle necklace, the (retired) U necklace and the triangle geometric earrings. Obsessed.
Lori: Do you have any special jewelry that is sentimental to you, or pieces that you never take off?
Carina: My wedding rings. My husband designed my engagement ring with no knowledge to me and it’s a perfect ruby in a palladium band by Todd Reed. It’s beautiful and I feel naked without it.
Lori: If I asked you which piece from my collection is your favorite, what would it be?
Carina: The initial rings! You made me one with each initial of my little family and I cherish the significance they have for me.
Lori: Every woman in business for herself that I know of has a future dream that's even bigger than the one that she's working on at the moment... If that's true for you, what is that next big dream or next goal on your horizon?
Carina: Ah! Funny - you’re one of the people that know about 1 of the 2: I’ve been designing a specific bag for years that I would love to bring to market. It will be a game changer for travel. That and owning and managing a bed and breakfast in my homeland of Costa Rica are my two big picture dreams.
Lori: Last question, do you have a mantra or quote or anything that you love to live by?
Carina: Yes! It’s tattooed on my right arm - “un objeto en movimiento permanece en movimiento”. It’s the Spanish translation for Newton’s first law of gravity - an object in motion stays in motion. It is the adult version of the “just keep swimming” song I sing in my head regularly when dealing with chaos in the world every day.
Lori: Ah, I love that! Keep at it.