ALT SUMMIT PART 2: New favorites

When you meet new people you usually learn new things. Hanging with creative people for five days at Alt Summit gave me the chance to find out about some new talent on the web, new blog addictions and new magazine favorites. I'm going to share them with you, so make sure to thank me later. I prefer Madewell gift cards, yellow neon accessories and pretty coffee table books if you need some ideas.

1. KINFOLK Magazine - This pretty read has to be one of the most artistic and lovely magazines on the market right now. It's not just a good read though. Kinfolk is changing the way magazines impact readers by hosting community events around the globe   to build community with those that share the same likes and art. Check it out!

Kinfolk Manifesto from Kinfolk on Vimeo.

2. LA PETITE Magazine - This is the first magazine devoted to children's fashion, DIY projects and parenting that is just as artistic and beautiful as some of my favorite monthly fashion reads. Rachelle's taste takes this magazine to another level, free from the clutter of cheesy trucks, frogs and hot pink that we usually see walking up and down the kids' aisle in stores. You'll want to flip through all of the issues after one click.

 

3. SIMPLY GROVE - An interior design blog written by Kirsten Grove, and interior stylist in Boise, Idaho. Kirsten is one of the sweetest people that I met at Alt Summit, along with her cousin Rachelle (La Petite). She has impeccable taste and loves the Scandinavian design aesthetic.

4. TULIP LOUISE - This is a blog by a fellow stylist that has that southern charm you just can't deny. She regularly posts pictures of her outfits that always incorporate a bit of glam and sweetness.

 

5. Lisa Congdon - an artist and illustrator whose work is so whimsy and thoughtful. There are so many cute prints in her etsy shop that I would love to own. Hopefully one of them will be mine soon. =)

ALT SUMMIT PART 1 - Highlights

I'm back from Altitude Summit (a.k.a. Alt Summit), and I have much to share with you. Alt Summit is an annual blogging and design conference held in Salt Lake City, and I attended it along with some wonderful friends of mine (Promise Tangeman, Liz Schultz, Alyssa Yuhas and Liz Fields). Networking was the main takeaway from the five day conference, but before I divulge everything, let's start with some highlights. SWAG There was plenty of  wonderful swag at this conference. It was like Christmas. We were greeted with a box full of useful and creative keepsakes such as journals, stationary, jewelry, pencils, toothbrushes, candy, coupons and even soap. Christmas stockings have nothing on Alt Summit.

Alt was filled with parties every single night. Not only did that give me an excuse to play dress up, but it also meant more gifts including an awesome knitted monkey hat, a ceramic coffee mug and a hardcover copy of Deborah Needleman's new book, The Perfectly Imperfect Home. I read the whole book on the plane home, and really enjoyed it.

 

MEETING THE FAMOUS There were a couple of people at this conference that made my heart beat just a bit faster than normal. Namely the lovely Anya Ayoung Chee of Project Runway, Emily Henderson of HGTV's Secrets from a Stylist, Ben Silbermann creator of Pinterest and Kevin Sorbo....Okay, Kevin Sorbo wasn't really on my radar at all, but I happened to see him while hanging around at the Sundance Film Festival. Hercules! Hercules!

GIRL TIME Alt was basically like one giant sorority devoted to design and blogging. Almost every person I met was kind and wanted to connect. I've never seen people at a business event look so stylish and act that friendly. During the parties, meal times and everything in between, I got to build upon my current friendships and make new ones. It was worth every penny!

TIPS & TRICKS Two full days of classes definitely left me with a lot to ponder. Some of the nuggets of blogging and business that really stuck with me are:

- Act on your idea right away. Don't wait until the product or service is perfected. Just get it out there, and then improve upon it as you go.

- Original content is king. Great photography is queen. (I need to find a solid digital camera. My cell phone is NOT doing the trick).

- Your third sentence is usually your best. Start with that instead.

- Set boundaries with collaborations before you start.

- Only build partnerships that match your overall brand

- Giveaways are lazy blogging, and you legally need sweepstakes policies to coincide with them now. Eek!

- You usually will feel insecure and competitive when you're not producing your best work.

Check in tomorrow with a list of some new blogs and magazines I learned about at Alt.

I'm Going to Alt Design Summit

In just three days I'm headed to Alt Design Summit, and I couldn't be more excited! Alt is a conference full of thousands of bloggers and businesses all around the country, maybe even world, that share the love of design and style. This is the first time that I've ever forked over major dollars for professional development, but I really believe that I'm going to meet some wonderful people and I hope to learn SOOO much about how to be a better business woman and blogger.

The conference is going to be held in snowy Salt Lake City. I'm not sure how my Arizona clothes are going to hold up there, but let's just hope that I'm having so much fun that I don't even notice it, right?

I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to know if you're attending this conference too and meet up with you! Leave a comment, send me a tweet or mention something on Facebook, and we can try to connect!

Now...what to wear...