This past week I attended Alt Design Summit. That’s me on the left all dressed up for the white-themed Winter Wonderland party (yep, I’m wearing a white wig!) and on the right with two of my favorite people Kelly Beall of Design Crush and Uncle Beefy of the Bedlam of Beefy outside in downtown Salt Lake during the Saturday evening snow storm (thank you to Victoria for that photo!). I love Kelly and Bradford so much.
I went into the experience of Alt very excited about the experience. But I was also pretty dubious and a bit nervous. Would I really have a good time? Or would I feel overwhelmed and awkward in a sea of female design bloggers? I am so happy to report that while there were overwhelming moments, I had a completely amazing time and I would do it all over again in a heartbeat (I already cannot wait for next year!).
There were fantastic speakers and panels, great parties each night, and I got to meet loads of incredible people. On the left above I’m posing for a photo with Janine of UPPERCASE (the publisher of my book) and my two dear friends and roommates Victoria of sfgirlbybay and Rena Tom. On the right are me and Shayna Kulik of Pattern Pulp showing off our love for stripe and pattern at Friday’s lunch.
I had some unforgettable moments over the week too, meeting some powerful and inspirational women. I met and hung out (even went thrifting) with Emily Henderson (that’s us, above, left) who is as charming in person as she is on television; I chatted the articulate and talented Pilar Guzman of Martha Stewart Living (she was on Thursday’s keynote panel); and had the privilege of meeting Anya, the winner of the last season of Project Runway, who is also pretty adorable in person! Oh, and the photo on the right? That’s Victoria and I in our fancy shoes before the Winter Wonderland party.
On Thursday I was on a really great panel with Anne Sage of The City Sage, Liz Stanley of Say Yes to Hoboken and Rena Tom. We talked to a standing room only crowd about living a creative life filled with multiple projects. What amazing women! It was a privilege to sit with them and talk about what we do.
Besides all of the aforementioned people, I also loved getting to spend quality time with my friends Grace Bonney of DesignSponge (and her amazing team), Morgan of The Brick House, Laure Joliet, Jason Hudson, Alix of Cute and Delicious, Margot of Pitch Design Union, Kate of Art Hound, Danielle of The Jealous Curator, Ben Silberman of Pinterest (who gave one of the best keynote presentations I have ever heard), Christine Castro Hughes, EZ of Creature Comforts, Maggie of Mighty Girl, Nicole of Making it Lovely, Jordan of Oh Happy Day, Rebecca of Permanently Disco, Marisa of Creative Thursday and so many more!! I also want to thank everyone who came to me and introduced themselves. It was a pleasure to meet all of you!
Salt Lake city is such a beautiful place and I also enjoyed the scenery. Thinking next year I need to plan a way to include a little documentary-film-watching at Sundance into my trip after Alt is over.
Perhaps the best part about going away and having a dreamy trip with a lot of cool people is coming home and being with family. I got lots of smooches from Wilfredo when I arrived back in San Francisco!
Now it’s back to real life for a few days. I leave for Milwaukee on Friday so I am soaking in being here in my apartment with my own bed, my pup and cats, delicious home-cooked food, and my wonderful partner Clay.
Thank you Alt Summit for an amazing time! And to Rena and Victoria for being the best friends, travel partners and roommates I could imagine.
