Summing up Alt Summit 2011:

January 25, 2011

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I can't really put into words how great Alt Summit was. Instead of doing a quick recap, I wanted to share some notes with you and what I learned at Alt. (especially since last year I missed blogging about the event) So get ready for a really long post!

WEDNESDAY:
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Lillian & I arrive and head straight to the thrift shops. We were pretty hard core and visited about 10 shops.. Then we checked into the Grand America and headed to the lobby and met lots of new friends. Then we part ways for dinner and I meet my roomies for the first time, Melanie (You are my Fave) & Natalie (Sensible Styled)! Also met the sweeeeetest ever Marta from Marta Writes and the hilarious Amy Turn Sharp from doobleh-vay.

THURSDAY:
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I kicked off the morning taking the Design Camp Calligraphy session with Melissa Esplin. It was lots of fun and I pretended I wasn't tracing the letters and I could just bust out really legit calligraphy.

Then I headed to Advertising Beyond the Banner with the lovely Erin Lochner from Design for Mankind, Liz Gumbinner from Cool Mom Picks & Maggie Mason from Mighty Girl. They gave us 12 key points, here are some of the main ones that stuck with me: Reinvent the wheel meaning get creative! Do something unique on your blog. Know yourself: What is your brand? What do you stand for and how can you add value to your readers? Disclosure: Blog with integrity. Your readers must know if you are just recommending a product or if it's a sponsor. Meaning - if you received something from a company to review on your blog, you must disclose it. If you don't have trust with your readers, you have nothing.

Alt Design Summit 2011
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Lunch was AWESOME. They keynote lunch featured Mondo & Seth Aaron from project runway. Can I just say how amazingly down to earth, sweet, and humble Mondo is?? He totally hugged me for the photo, I may have had a dream about him later that night ;) Funny story: Natalie's husband works for crocs and Seth Aaron totally dissed crocs during his talk. So afterward, Natalie goes up to Seth Aaron and tells him her husband works for crocs and that she wants to send him and his family some shoes. She's awesome, and it made for lots of laughs.

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Aren't Mondo's shoes awesome? Oh, if you saw any of my tweets from Thursday, here are some quotes from the keynote: "dont look for trends, just do whatever you want. Wear what makes you feel good" -by Mondo on upcoming trends. "You can't grow without criticism. But take 20% and throw the other 80 out." -Seth Aaron "a women should always put on what she wants and never second guess it."-Mondo. Other fave quotes by Mondo: "I started with a hot glue gun", "mustaches are in", and "I love thrift shops."

Next up, Social Media Ethics & Etiquette with the amazing: Emily Newman from Once Wed, Grace Bonney from Design Sponge & Joy Cho from Oh Joy! Grace says "pick your battles" regarding copying/stealing. On comments, comment politely and don't promote yourself in comments. Leaving your link within your comment is considered spam.

Last session for the day, I attended Taking it Offline - Events and Social Media with the fabulous: Ashley Meaders, Brittany Egbert from One Charming Party, Jordan Ferney from Oh Happy Day, & Victoria Hudgins from The City Cradle. Jordan Ferney has been a long-time blog read so it was amazing to meet her and Ashley Meaders, well, I'm sure you know who she is. Some of the points that were made in this session if you're wanting to take your party to the next level are to make sure your invitations shine, pick a theme, pick an element of surprise and size does matter. Here is what Ashley Meaders told us on how she gets inspired: dare to go beyond your industry: fashion/wedding/etc. Use your hands and get away from your computer and collaborate with other creatives.

By the end of the day, my head was spinning with info and my mouth hurt from smiling. So I headed back to the room, got on Melanie's laptop and relaxed while my roommates went off to dinner. I was bummed to miss out on the socializing, but I needed rest.

FRIDAY:
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Friday was a crazy-fun day. During lunch, I got a text from my wedding photographer that our photos were done. So I got anxious about that as well as getting ready for our panel on "The Best in Up & Coming Blogs". I was super fortunate to be on a panel with Amy Turn Sharp from doobleh-vay, Joslyn Taylor from Simple Lovely, Liz Stanley from Say Yes to Hoboken, & Melanie Blodgett from You are my Fave. See our list of up and coming blogs here at Amy's blog.

Alt Design Summit 2011
The closing keynote was presented by Tina Eisenberg from Swiss Miss. Wow. The panels were amazing but I think this was the highlight for me. Tina was so so so inspiring. She presented a totally kick-butt key note and it was an wonderful end to the conference. I really want to share some of her key points with you. She discussed how her blog became her business and noted that with a big audience comes great responsibility. Here are some of the rules she blogs by: 01) Always credit your sources 02) Respect your reader 03) Keep it light 04) Blog with the right intentions: If your motives are in it to make money, your motives for blogging are not right. I would just say quit blogging if your main goal is to make money. 05) Images images images 06) Find your place and own it: What makes you different from other blogs? Find your niche. Don't be just another blog with the same voice and copy other blogs. 07) There is such a think as blogging to much. 08) BE personal and approachable: personality is key on your blog. 09) Know what not to blog about. 10) Think beyond the blog.

Later that night, we attended a bunch of parties but the highlight had to be the Kate Spade/Girls with Glasses Party. Here are some shots:
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My seriously hilarious + awesome roommates: Melanie & Natalie

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Christine, Marisa, Ez, Natalie, Waitress, Me, Melanie, & Marta!
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Having way too much photo booth fun with new friends.
(photo booth from getpicturethis.com)

So that was it. It was so much fun and I left on a high, being so inspired. I wrote down a huge list of things I want to do in 2011 on my way home. I definitely would recommend going next year. Maybe start saving up some money now? Put a dollar and ten cents aside for the next 363 days and you'll have enough by next year to go.

Alt follow up posts from other friends:
+ Amy from Old Sweet Song has a must read, hilarious post up at her blog:
+ Twig & Thistle, Kathleen's Recap Post
+ Design Crush, Kelly's Hangover/Recap Post
+ You are my fave, Melanie's Realization post

above image from Vivien: The Eclectic Life
Kate Spade/Girls with Glasses party: pics taken by angela and ithyle
Alt Summit 2011: Photos on Flickr

47 hello's:

  1. Soooooo jealous of every thing! And you got to hang with Lillian and Brandi. So much fun!

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  2. Thanks for this recap Danni and for sharing all these tips with us

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  3. Lillian told me about your awesome thrifting trip! Salt Lake City seemed to have so many treasures. This is a fantastic recap post, Danni -- I still can't really figure out what to say about Alt except I loved it. And it made me feel all sparkly.

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  4. Hello friend...Very interesting! I'm going to have to come back and read it again when I have more time! Thanks for posting this. Jennifer:)

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  5. Ooooh those thrift stores look amazing!!! Wish I had something so awesome in my city. And so jealous that you met Mondo! Love him.

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  6. I loved your recap! I'm sad :( that we didn't all get the opportunity to go thrifting with you and Lillian! The pictures you took are awesome!

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  7. looks like you guys had a blast!! aaaand that thrift store looks aaammmaazing!!

    xox
    Ashleigh
    www.ashflynn.blogspot.com

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  8. This is such a great recap... I almost feel like I was there! It looks like such an amazing weekend with all of the rockstars. Is this going to happen annually? If so, I'm going to make it my mission to attend next year. Thank you for sharing!

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  9. sounds like a blast! wish i could have made it.

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  10. This looks amazing! I am so keeping all these lessons handy because there are so many great tips...how inspiring!!

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  11. I love that opening image; I've made that drive many times. And that Kate Spade booth is fantastic! I'm so jealous, I would have loved to join you. If I ever make it in the future, I'll make sure you have free lodging at my folks' house. I hope you put all that knowledge to use and are blessed from it, friend.

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  12. wow! looks like it was so much fun! :) glad you're back so we can look forward to your awesome posts again! & thanks for sharing that newfound inspiration with us all.
    hey everyone, check out my blog at:

    HHAA! totally kidding. i hate when people do that too. hahaha!

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  13. Thanks for the recap and the tips!! Looks like it was so fun :)

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  14. It was so fun meeting you at "dinner with", and I was totally thinking of Natalie and how she had just been telling us how her hubby worked for Crocs when Seth Aaron said that at lunch! Fun recap, it looks like you had an amazing time!

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  15. I'm sitting here at work and I can't stop chuckling at my seat. That photo with the waitress kills me. You're the best.

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  16. It really was an amazing weekend! I had such a great time finally meeting you, Danni! You've long been one of my favorites.

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  17. great recap. i have been living vicariously through everyones tweets and posts. I HAVE to go next year.
    I would love to know more about what NOT to blog.
    Thanks for putting this together for us. So jealous you met mondo. was totally rooting for him.

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  18. It was great to meet the lovely girl behind your happy place! It's great to see all the different recaps...amazing times...

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  19. Wow, the more I scrolled, the more envious I became of all of you out there at ALT. The combination of passion and talents must have made for a truly inspiring experience.
    Thank you for sharing your adventure with us!
    Wish I could have been there! :)

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  20. Thanks so much for sharing this with us! I'm bookmarking it so I never forget this advice!
    xx

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  21. I'm so jealous you got to meet Mondo and Seth Aaron! I love your blog too...
    I'm sure you get thousands of comments a day, but I just want you to know I appreciate your openness in your blog!

    Please feel free to check out mine sometime if you want!

    Love,
    Caryn
    stylebones.blogspot.com

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  22. Sounds like fun, and good to hear that you left with lotsa cool nuggets of info!

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  23. so jealous! this looks amazing! thanks for sharing with us!!!

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  24. I've been waiting for a recap. I love that you shared some great key points to build on. Thanks a bunch!

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  25. your recap is full of so many inspirational words and fun photos! thank you for sharing your experience. i'm inspired to attend alt next year.

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  26. what a great recap!

    i had so much fun hanging out with you. you are just darling!

    i'm about to post a recap on my blog, you'll have to check it out, you are in a few photos..

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  27. Well that looks like it was a crazy-amazing experience!

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  28. Just feel the need to comment about how jealous I am you got to meet Mondo... i love him!

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  29. Great info! Thanks for the recap for those of who could not go to ALT:)
    Love your blog!

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  30. Love your blog! and happy for you!
    Thanks for share with us that amazing experience! :)
    www.colloredelavita.blogspot.com

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  31. Hi girl...
    Looks like you had a very nice time:)

    Have a great day - and greetings from Norway.

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  32. wow..ok it seems my day will be reading all the posts about alt you just linked into your post :D! i really love to find so many new inspirations through your blog, that is amazing dannii thank you!
    hugs,sissi

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  33. thank-you for sharing some of the stand out tips from your conference. looks like an amazing event.

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  34. I see the event was amazing! So glad you shared these tips with us!

    By the way, I just discovered your blog....and very glad I did!
    Be sure to stop by my blog on accessorizing: Accessories Please.blogspot

    Have a great day!!!

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  35. Great recap...I seriously keep thinking about everything that I learned. I haven't even looked at a note that was written, I'm getting reminded refreshed from everyones great blogs:) I really wished that I had made it to a thrift shop, I heard they were great.

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  36. Thanks so much for posting! It looked super fun & I hope I can go next year!! I have been wanting to learn calligraphy (even though I would have been tracing the letters too) :)

    -Taylor @ taylorleighisme

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  37. I really need to go to something like this!! Looks awesome!!

    Melanie's Randomness

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  38. Gah!!! I HAVE to go next year! Danni, thanks for sharing such awesome photos =D

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  39. Thanks for posting! I'm in shock that leaving a link to your blog in your comment is spam. I learned about it from other large blogs...

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  40. thank you so much for posting this. It sounds like a great event to be at and I know I missed out on a lot of helpful info. so thanks for sharing!

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  41. Oh wow! Thanks for posting a link to my post-Alt wrap up. I think I'm finally getting over the blues. Hope you are too!

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  42. Thanks for sharing this Danni... I wish I just live nearby so I can also attend the Alt Summit...

    April

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  43. Danni, it was so great to meet you in person! I was so glad you were able to come to my calligraphy class. Meeting you was definitely one of the highlights of the conference!!

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  44. it was so great to finally meet you!! you are the cutest thing. ;)

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  45. Thank you for all of the information along with great photos! I wish something like ALT existed over here in Europe! I'm off to check out all of the blogs you linked to in this post now... I'm never going to sleep, ha!

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  46. I'm so glad I got to meet you!!! I was so looking forward to meeting up with you - and I have to say that you are just about the sweetest, nicest, fun person! Glad we got to hang out - just wish it was longer :) I miss Alt!!

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Friends, Thank you so much for reading + supporting my blog, and for taking the time to leave me a comment. Your comment support truly means so much to me. Have a lovely day! xo, danni