PHOTO: rakkauttaskatu
01/ I love the idea of updating jewelry with paint
02/ get ready for spring flowers with these wood + stoneware vases
03/ super smart clothing styling
04/ I’d totally get cozy under this quilt
05/ this app let’s you type + walk safely all at the same time
06/ dying to do a food swap after reading this
07/ our Growing Your Readership panel from Alt – illustrated!
Aside from my newest role in life as caregiver, I’m also still designing. Last fall I took on a project for the lovely Erin of Salvaged Grace. We’d become friends over Twitter and she was ready for a new logo to go along with her upcoming site redesign. I knew we’d be a good match when she mentioned wanting a type-only mark, my very favorites to design. Here’s what was decided upon ultimately and I couldn’t be happier with it, it’s the perfect mix of fun and lighthearted with vintage. Just what Salvaged Grace is all about.
Posted In blog love, my design
PHOTO: Pete Barringer In New Orleans, second from right
If you’ve been reading for the past few months then you know that I had to beg a few weeks off from Design Crush in late December and early January. To explain why I have to go back to before I was born.
I grew up living at one end of a row house, at the other end lived a lovely older couple named Pete and Betty Barringer. They quickly took our young family under their wing, Pete teaching me to hit a whiffle ball and Betty letting me play school with her. And soon enough enough they were just like an extra set of grandparents. In fact one year I made them come to my biological grandparents’ house with us for Thanksgiving! Then when I was 15 my parents’ marriage ended and my mom got engaged to their son, Bill. He was recently divorced as well and everything just clicked. So now my “extra” grandparents were becoming my step-grandparents. Not too bad of a deal.
This past December an existing health condition of Betty’s worsened drastically and very suddenly, she passed away January 1, 2012. But that’s only the half of it, because Pete has Alzheimer’s. After the funeral he had to move back to Oklahoma City with my mom and stepdad for the obvious reasons, and my days are now spent watching over him for the time being. He’s not so far a long as to be in a home, but he’s not able to remember enough to care for himself or be left alone either. We’re sort of in the in between right now, and it’s hard knowing it’s only going to get worse.
I won’t lie, some days are really tough. Especially the ones where he talks about going home and you have to explain that this is home now. But other than that there are some great times, too. I get to hear about his time spent as a soldier in World War II and so many other stories I never would have had the opportunity to know. We all really try to laugh, otherwise everyone might breakdown and cry. I know if the tables were turned he’d do the exact same thing for me in a heartbeat.
Have you ever had to take care of a relative when their health failed him? I’d love to hear any words of wisdom or advice you might have.
Posted In my life
PHOTO: Justin Hackworth
This is my last Alt post. Promise. But I told you all I’d share what I learned, so here it is. If you’re unfamiliar with the format of the conference, there are several hour long sessions throughout the day. During each session you have three panel options to choose from, I chose to attend the ones that I thought I could get the most out of professionally. And while it’s impossible to attend all of the panels, you can search #altsummit on Twitter and get a pretty good idea of what went down in most of them.
Bri Emory, Danielle Krysa, Joslyn Taylor, Victoria Smith
• it’s okay to say no
• find someone with similar aesthetics, but who brings fresh eyes and a new perspective
• honesty and communication are key
• manage conflict with integrity and grace
• know what you want out of the collaboration up front and communicate that
• even good partnerships come to an end
• it’s okay to walk away if you’re not getting what you need or pulling your weight
• don’t air your gripes online
• it’s human nature to want to share
• make the most of chance encounters
• reach out locally
• don’t be afraid to take it offline
• make it easy for the other person to say yes
• all someone can do is say no
Erin Loechner, Danielle Wiley, Meg Keene, Sarah Stringfellow
• it’s possible to do it yourself
• have a media kit readily available
• people you want to work with will work with you
• you’re responsible for creating something for yourself
• figure out and meet your community
• know your brand and your value
• advertising is about you
• test the waters – use trial and error and your moral compass
• sponsors should only be adding to your site
• always ask for what you want, be proactive
• the crazier the pitch, the better
• consider your complete online presence
• give brands something to get excited about
• follow up
• consider legal obligations
• have a debriefing sessions afterwards
• send snail mail thank you notes
• picture where you want to be in two years and create the building blocks to get yourself there
• look into media training, it’s highly attractive
• read contracts over carefully
• understand what doing something for free means for you
• build relationships that last
• clean layouts are important
• focus on your content, what does it say about you?
• facilitate authentic conversations
• know your CPM, CPC
• mobile sites are an important piece of the puzzle
Pilar Guzman, Deborah Needleman, Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan
• online currency = views and legitimacies
• very few companies do both well
• there is no easy transition
• they’re not mutually exclusive
Heather Armstrong, Nora Abousteit, Kelly Walters, Sarah Bryden-Brown
• pretty pictures aren’t enough
• build a personality through your words
• use your voice honestly
• create a platform to succeed
• use WordPress’s Buddypress
Tracey Clark, Danni Hong, Kal Bartestki, Sarah Wert
• “Intellectual Property” is a broad term – it includes photography, art, music, words, poetry, recipes, etc.
• Link With Love
• commenting shows appreciation, don’t promote yourself or your giveaway
• if you’re monetizing, you need to ask yourself what using a photo is doing
• giving credit benefits you, pay it forward
• don’t air your dirty laundry, settle things in private
• original content is safest
• add a disclaimer
• create awareness, set standards, it has to start somewhere
• pause before you post, don’t just grab and do
• create a community that words together
• copyright use: remember that online does not mean “public domain” – ask permission, give credit
• copyright infringement: when someone uses your materials without permission start with a call or email, proceed through DMCA takedown notice and/or use of lawyer if that doesn’t work
• website legal terms: have them, keep them up to date
• trademarks: protects your business and gives you a defined legal asset, also use other brands correctly and with credit where due
• advertising law: follow the FTC guidelines for bloggers
• contracts: use written contracts with sponsors and contributors
• employment law: be extra careful when it comes to using paid help, use written agreements and file all tax documents
• corporate law: the bigger you get, the more you need to plan ahead
• giveaways: check state laws against private lotteries and have official rules easily available
Camille Styles, Cassandra LaValle, Hunter Sebresos, Jasmine Star
• position yourself uniquely
• everything you put out defines you
• fine a niche
• lay the foundation to get paid
• write a branding statement
• checklist: business cards, consistent visuals, get social, headshot
• showcase who you are more than what you do
• own who you are
• love me or hate me, make people feel something
• perfect your elevator pitch
• educate your readers, keep them in the loop
• trust your instincts
Jordan Ferney, Kelly Beall, Nicole Balch, Maggie Mason
• original content is key, if using someone else’s put your own spin on it
• a clean and polished look is necessary these days, it’s your starting point
• looking bigger than you are is important, dressing for the job you want applies
• being part of a community helps build your readership
• consistency in posting is key
• blogging is an ever-evolving experiment
• your site’s design should be intuitive and user friendly
• don’t focus on your stats, put your energy elsewhere
• go with your gut
• meaningful commenting is a good tactic
• write in your own voice
• if you have a great idea, put it out there in a minimal way just to get started
• say thank you if you contribute to someone else’s site
• investing in your blog is incredibly important
• stop treating it like a hobby
• track + participate in the conversation you’re creating
• don’t neglect Facebook, many people use it as their RSS reader
• handpicked related posts at the bottom of each post increase traffic
• know the way people engage and cater to them
Nicole put together a great collection of tweets from our panel right here if you’re hungry for more.
Posted In shameless plug
I don’t normally share life events here, but the marriage of my friends Ashley and Justin is an exception. Not only did I get to watch their relationship develop and instantly know they were meant for one another, I also got to design their wedding invitations. Such a huge honor, as any designer knows.
Sometimes working for friends or family can end up being a nightmare, something else many designers are aware of. Ashley and Justin were the complete opposite, dream clients is the only term that pertains. The day they got engaged Ashley let me know they wanted me to create their invitations, and my mind started churning. I created a few mood boards and after a brief meeting with Ashley two versions came into being. They chose the one that I’d already fallen in love with –BONUS. After a few minor verbal changes, I followed up with designs for a small RSVP card (they opted for an email to save money) and an envelope label.
The ceremony and reception took place at Fort Reno, a historical military camp completely out in the middle of nowhere by my standards. There’s a small church on the grounds that looks straight out of Pulp Fiction, and also gets the best light I’ve ever seen with my own two eyes. The interior is completely wood-lined and lined on two sides with beautiful tall windows.
Everything about Ashley and Justin’s wedding day suited them perfectly, right down to Justin’s TOMS. This one’s gonna last.
All photos copyright Stella Shot Me, with the exception of the first through third which are by me using Instagram.
Posted In create, my design, photography, weddings
To start off I’ll tell you something you didn’t already know, Alt Design Summit is/was amazing.
After two prior years of flying in at the crack of dawn, I smartened up this January and took a (direct!) afternoon flight into Salt Lake City. Let me tell you, totally worth the extra $30. I’d somehow managed to cram five days of necessities and a queen-sized air mattress into my carry-on and personal item and was ready to roll when my Alt-sponsored ride swung up curbside and took me to the Grand America.
I settled in at the hotel for a luxurious thirty minutes or so, then it was off to Dinner With at J.Wong’s Asian Bistro. That’s me in the very back!
After a few hours of chatting, spring rolls, chicken lo mein, and a few ginger mojitoes it was off to Christophers for a cocktail party for the speakers. I love these limited edition, hand numbered coasters that were waiting for us on the tables. (PS: I do!) The wine was flowing and it was so loud with hellos and old friends, so much fun!
Thursday morning started with room service (Irish oatmeal!) and signing in at the registration desk, where I was presented with my name tag as well as a sizable and seriously heavy box of swag. I didn’t say no.
The day was full of some of the best panels I’ve sat down to in three years of the conference. I learned a bunch and I promise to share it with you all, in detail, later in the week.
Lunch was sponsored by Cargoh, and all 500 of us sat down to a gorgeously packaged surprise at our place setting. I later learned that each one had been hand wrapped and stamped! The keynote that followed was by Ben Silberman of Pinterest fame, and was easily one of the best talks I’ve ever been privy to. I think everyone walked out of that dining room with a little bit of a crush.
Thursday evening was the much talked about Winter Wonderland Party where everyone was asked to wear white. And did they ever. Outfits ranged from prom dress-worthy to simple tunics.
I wore a 60s-inspired sleeveless number that I’d picked up this past summer. Carina wore awesome.
Friday my panel – Growing Your Readership – was up and the room was packed!
As in standing/sitting room only.
Jordan, Nicole, Maggie, and I had a great banter going on and I was thrilled afterwards when people told me how much they’d gotten out of our talk. (I’ll be sharing notes later on this as well!)
It was a pleasure to speak with ladies I have the utmost respect for! After a few more panels, a fantastic lunch keynote by Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan, Deborah Needleman, and Pilar Guzman, and an ending keynote from The Happiness Project
The ceilings and lighting were my favorite parts. As were the swag bags my roomies and I conquered like Wal-Mart the day after Thanksgiving. *blush*
Aaand just a small sampling of the photobooth whorage that took place. (NOTE: No, I did not chop my hair off. It’s just pulled back.)
Saturday was my only free-ish day. I went to a sponsored brunch and took a calligraphy class before having a completely relaxing dinner with three friends. Sunday brought about a morning flight home and my body catching up to the meager hours of sleep I’d had.
I’ll be back later this week with specifics that I learned as well as my favorite business cards!
Photos: Justin Hackworth, b.a.d. photography, moss + isaac, and Smilebooth
You can view the entire Alt 2012 flickr stream right here.
ORIGINAL PHOTO: Conde Nast Traveler
In a few short hours I’m off for the third year in a row to Alt Summit in Salt Lake City! This year I’ll be speaking on a panel with Nicole Balch, Jordan Ferney, and Maggie Mason about growing your readership. I’m so looking forward to seeing all of my blogger friends who I only get to touch base with a few times a year. Little sleep and lots of chatting are in the plans, I like to call it blogger camp. Don’t fret, I have posts lined up while I’m away. I’ll be back at it Monday with lots of stories to tell!
Posted In shameless plug
Harabu House – a name derived from Sanskrit – was launched in 2010. Since then they’ve been full of globally chic offerings that are stylish and eco-friendly solutions to everyday living. Where possible they strive to find sustainable products, which provide economic, social and environmental benefits to the artisans who create them. I love a company that does good! Harabu House’s range of finds are innovative, beautiful, modern and perfect for your home. And with the holidays literally just around the corner they just might be a perfect fit for your gift list!
Check out a few of my favorites above: Reclaimed Wood Salt + Pepper Shakers, Gold Finish Coffee Spoon, Mar Y Sol Opal Clutch, and the Swedish Breadboard.
This is a sponsored post, however all opinions and editorial content are my own.
Posted In house and home, sponsored postI think you can probably recall a few months ago, back when I was following along with Project Runway and participating in a challenge with HP where I recreated each week’s look on my own. And you can probably remember me getting ridiculously excited about having the chance to attend Fashion Week and the filming of the finale runway show, yes? I thought so.
I wanted to wait until the finale aired before sharing about the trip, not because I knew anymore about who won than the average viewer (it was packed with dummy collections from the other contestants) but because everyone else participating shared right away and I thought it might be overkill. Okay, I knew it would be. On that note, it’s about to get pretty photo-heavy right here and right now.
After my bad travel karma when I flew to Seattle in July, I begged an early flight to NYC. HP listened, and I was on my way bright and early at 6:30 a.m. I snapped this shot of the Oklahoma sunrise as we took off over the city.
HP put us up at the Empire Hotel, located just across the street from Lincoln Center where tons of NYFW events go down. This was the view from my hotel room, which was sort of odd with the tiniest bathroom ever but nice nonetheless. Did you see the view?! Totally made up for any shortcomings.
And this was the gorgeous wallpaper in the hallways. Anyone know who it’s by?
The HP team didn’t arrive until after the bloggers – Jaime, Megan, Ez, Susan, and myself. But when they did were were welcomed with gift bags full of essentials (snacks!) and HP Minis to use for the next few days. Before I knew it there was champagne and more appetizers than I could handle in front of my eyes. And that was just the start of the all-star treatment we received the entire time. Seriously, other PR teams should take a note out of their book (Edelman, for those interested!).
After a lightning fast shower we all went our ways and attacked Fashion’s Night Out, which I can only define as trick or treating for fashionable adults. Events were going on every way you turned, but Jaime and I opted to tackle part of lower 5th Avenue.
I loved all of the carefully executed installations and parties, but it’s all sort of a blur. I definitely remember going into Madewell, Free People (two photos above), Anthropologie, Barney’s (OMG, the shoe department!), and Barnes & Noble for a very pregnant Jaime to pee. Afterwards we rounded out the evening with a stop at Starbucks and girl talk, then Duane Reade (Which I miss horribly – when did they get a freezer section?!) for essentials.
PHOTO: Megan Reardon
The next day kicked off bright and early with the HP team waiting in the hotel lobby and bearing Starbucks. We were off across the street to Lincoln Center where the Project Runway runway finale was filming. We were sort of herded through like VIP cattle, and freebies were flowing everywhere. (I stuck to the bottled water.) The runway tent was positively alive with energy and smiles. Above are me, Megan, and Jaime standing on the actual runway.
Once we were told the show was going to start everyone scrambled to their seats, we were pleasantly surprised that ours was two sections from the front and only six rows up! This was my view across the way. I spent a good fifteen minutes celeb spotting – Jennifer Love Hewitt, Andy McDowell, Malin Akerman, Swizz Beats, Omarion, Betsey Johnson, and a slew of former Project Runway designers.
PHOTO: Megan Reardon
Then the lights dimmed and the real wait began.
PHOTO: Megan Reardon
And out poured Heidi Klum, Nina Garcia, Michael Kors, and the guest judge. They all immediately filed towards the end of the runway which was press central for photos.
PHOTO: Jaime Derringer
One of my favorite collections was Anthony Ryan’s. He’s been my favorite for a good part of the season and I couldn’t help but think he completely nailed it. Not only the collection, but the idea of putting on a show. All of his models with the exception of the one wearing the keystone piece wore blunt cut wigs. And my favorite part of the entire show were his blue airbrushed wrists. I had a chance to ask him about them the next night at the reunion party and he said he wanted tough girls, girls who would have tattoos, and that this is one of the ways he expressed that. I want to mimic it so badly on my own arm!
PHOTO: Jaime Derringer
You might be wondering how I got these amazing shots at the end of the runway. You can thank Jaime’s bladder. She had to get up to use the restroom just before the show started and they wouldn’t let her back to her seat!
PHOTO: Jaime Derringer
I was struck by just how black the tent became, and how much focus was drawn the runway by lighting alone.
PHOTO: Jaime Derringer
PHOTO: Jaime Derringer
The show consisted of the last nine contestants standing and lasted about an hour. Once it wrapped Heidi informed us that they were headed back to Parson’s to choose the winner and that was that! Sort of a letdown, but cool nonetheless.
PHOTO: Jaime Derringer
For lunch HP took us to chef Jonathan Benno’s Lincoln restaurant, also a part of the Lincoln Plaza complex. It had us wrapped around its little finger before we ever walked in the door with its modern architecture and reflecting pool. See the grass up there? That’s the roof. (I had a chance to spend some time with Martin of CMYBacon later on that evening.)
PHOTO: Jaime Derringer
And no big deal, but that’s Julliard right behind it.
We split our group into two tables and had the best conversations. It honestly felt like a group of friends getting together, the farthest thing from a PR luncheon.
The courses were small, but oh so decadent. I started with focaccia and a greens salad (not picture), then moved on to the best gnudi filled with ricotta cheese and root vegetables. Dessert was a chocolate hazelnut torta and cappuccino. Two and half hours from start to finish and I felt like I might die by the end. So good.
Believe it or not there were other things besides food and fashion happening, I just didn’t think to photograph them because I was having way too much fun. Saturday the lovely Melissa of Operation Nice took the train up from Phillie to have lunch with me. We stayed on the Upper West Side and lunched at Rosa Mexicano. This photo is part of a massive 20 x 20′ (total guess) water wall that had row upon row of diving figurines. The ones at the top started straight up and down and each row gradually descended until they were in a full-on vertical dive. I was obsessed. Oh, and Melissa? Just as nice (and as real) as her blog name suggests.
After three hours of chit chat I had to dash off for another date, this one with Jessie of The Concrete Catwalk and Caroline of Sweet Caroline in the City – both total fashionistas. We partook in a bit of pampering at the Rue La La/It Gets Better Project festivities that were also taking place at the Empire Hotel. I had a hand massage and then my makeup was done by an Emmy award-winning artist. Not too shabby!
And now a quick glance at what Fashion Week can do to one’s feet. I think it was Emily who suggested Band-Aid create a whole foot bandage for the event. Someone needs to Kickstart that right now.
And then it was time for the HP/Project Runway Reunion Party on the rooftop of the Empire Hotel. HP did a stellar job of converting the already gorgeous space into a sophisticated land of technology with touchscreens everywhere you looked and a cocktail menu with drinks named after the judges.
PHOTO: HP
Oh, and a red carpet which was the single most surreal moment of my life.
This was our view and the weather was perfect. (Contrary to weather reports that it was supposed to rain for the entire four days I was in town, it didn’t until Megan and I were headed to the airport the next day.)
PHOTO: Jaime Derringer
Our designs from the season were rotating on a Touchscreen while the contestants were on another.
PHOTO: Jaime Derringer
PHOTO: Jaime Derringer
Like any good party thrown in 2011, there was of course a photo booth with props. After snapping away you could walk over to a row of HPs to print them out and email the shots to yourself! Jaime and I of course took full advantage.
PHOTO: Jaime Derringer
It was a blast people watching and trying to decide if someone was someone.
I especially loved this gal’s Betsey Johnson number. Her shoes were horrendous, but I was too focused on the tulle skirt to pay much mind to them.
PHOTO: Jaime Derringer
Have you noticed all of the photo credits yet? I did in fact bring my camera to New York, but never once took it out of my suitcase.
Of course there were party favors, a sweet pair of carbon blade scissors and a plaque commemorating the event. The designers in attendance walked away with their own HP Mini!
Sunday morning I met up with Susan from House of Brinson and Shayna of Pattern Pulp for an amazing brunch at Tipsy Parson.
Joanna of A Cup of Jo was supposed to join us, but had to bail at the last minute so she had this massive tray of goodies sent to our table in her stead. Such a sweetheart. I had their decadent mac and cheese which I highly recommend. (This is the point in the story where I let you know that I completely understand if you think all I did was go out to eat a bunch on my own. Because instead of taking photos of the lovely people I was with I focused on the eats.)
And that was it. The end of the adventure. Megan and I were picked up at the hotel and taken to the airport for our rendezvous. I watched the Steelers lose their first game of the season in between flights, ate some Taco Bell, then hobbled home on my maladjusted tootsies.
This past Friday I had the chance to submit a few questions for a sit down HP was having with the winner, Anya Ayoung Chee.
Other than yourself, who was your favorite to win?
Having seen Laura’s collection, even though she wasn’t in the top four, I really think that she could have won. Her collection was super strong.
Which challenge do you wish you had the chance to do over again?
I think I could have done a much better job at the Garnier Sheep Dog challenge, but I wouldn’t necessarily want to do it over.
How does creating fashion inspire other areas of creativity in your life?
I like to experiment with different art forms. It usually goes the other way around, and I experiment with other art forms like photography or film and it influences my designs. I find that one way or another all of my influences come back together in my work.
Today you find me begging for a bit of a reprieve as I settle into my new schedule. Because ya’ll, this new job is fast and furious and about eleven hours a day. That doesn’t leave much time for other activities and I’m sadly behind on both my blog research and fun quota. So instead I thought I’d share a little about what’s been shakin’ since I moved last Saturday.
My street (above) is gorgeous, with slate sidewalks and a park right across the street. Literally. I’m lucky enough to have a drop-off laundry service and dry cleaner right around the corner, along with about a billion delicious restaurants and bodegas. Not to shabby for Kelly! My commute to and from the office is a snappy half hour, and I get to check out the Manhattan skyline as I cross the bridge every day. My office is near beautiful Union Square (and the surrounding stores where I want to shop daily), it’s sunny when I arrive and dark when I leave and there hasn’t been time for much else.
I aim to change all that this weekend. I also aim to catch up on this space here, so for now I thank you for your patience and continued words of congratulations and encouragement. You’re some good eggs.
Posted In my house, travel