Things I Learned at Alt Summit 2014

I went to Salt Lake City with big hopes of making connections and learning something about blogging. I did that.

But then, about halfway through the conference, I started to feel this renewed sense of inspiration and creativity--an itch to get things done--which maybe I expected, but wasn't totally prepared for. It felt good. I sat down with Megan Silianoff, author of 99 Problems but a Baby Ain't One, and chatted about writing vs. blogging. I had a delicious meal and, later, a couple of cocktails with some wonderful people from La Crema. And I had the pleasure of listening to Ben Silbermann of Pinterest close the conference with totally eloquent words about work and failure and creativity.

There's a lot that I'm still processing, so I think I'll just leave you with a list of things I took away from my time at Alt Summit.

+ Your voice really matters. Be true to it. Be authentic in everything you do.
+ Strive to create something that's open, accepting, and filled with love.
+ Don't be afraid to try new things.
+ Sometimes you're going to have to work really, really hard.
+ Don't be afraid to fail--every other successful person has done it, will do it, is doing it.
+ The gap between where you are and where you want to be should get bigger as you do. Never stop growing.
+ Just be better than you were yesterday.


Photo via my Instagram, which I took from Blair, who sat next to me on our flight + is also marrying a Rob.
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Styled "Bridal" Shoot, Part One | Tea Party
When I was back home in Virginia for Christmas, my wedding-photographer-now-friend Ashley and I got together to do a bridal shoot with my wedding dress. Because we're both bloggers at heart and couldn't bear the thought of waiting until May to show our stuff, we also planned a little styled shoot with one of my bridesmaids' dresses. (Thanks, Elena!)

Mary Jo Thompson from Gloriosa Floral Design was kind enough to give us not one, but two gorgeous bouquets for the shoot. It was so fun and totally weird to practice holding a bouquet. We had such a great time! I hope you love these favorite shots of mine, and I can't wait to show you the real bridal ones in just over three months!


  












This photo shoot was featured on Burnett's Boards last week! You can check it out here

Other details: Acute Designs belt, J.Crew dress (similar one here) in dusty shale. 
Hair by Monica Wakefield at Oliver's Twist,  and awesome chair c/o my parents' guest room.

Stay tuned for part two next week!
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Altitude Summit | Off to Salt Lake City

My bags are packed and I'm headed to Altitude Summit! I've been looking forward to this for such a long time, and I'm so excited to get there and take it all in. I love visiting a new place, and Salt Lake City has been on my list for quite a while.

I won't be blogging again until Monday, but feel free to follow along with me on Twitter and/or Instagram! And if you're going to Alt Summit, let me know--I want to meet you! Wishing you all a lovely rest of the week and a beautiful weekend!

Photo credit: Winona Grey Photography
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