Happy {Feelin' Fine} Weekend

image via inside the loop

Well my dears, this week has just flown by hasn't it? Maybe it feels like that because of all the little plots for Apartment 34 swirling in my head. Or the flurry of great chats I've had with so many of you this week. Or the continued after-glo from Alt Summit...

I suspect it's a combo of all three. I'm actually rather excited for the busy weekend ahead. I sense a spurt of creativity/productivity coming on!

If you're still looking for a dose of inspiration I thought I'd leave you with some final thoughts from Alt Summit. These were provided by the keynote speaker Tina, the brilliant designer behind swissmiss.

Regardless of what you fill your days with, I think these wise words apply.

1. NOBODY CAN TELL YOU WHAT’S BEST FOR YOU.

2. SURROUNDING YOURSELF WITH SMART PEOPLE IS KEY.

3. DON’T JUST TALK; DO IT. (IF IT FAILS, MOVE ON.)

4. BE KIND AND GENEROUS. IT COMES BACK TO YOU.

5. YOUR ENTHUSIASM AND INTEGRITY ARE YOUR BIGGEST ASSETS.

6. IT IS POSSIBLE.
~ Tina of SwissMiss via Erin Loechner, Design for Mankind
 
Till Monday luvies,
*Mrs. E

Style Gawking {Tulip Lousie}

I suspect the term style gawker was coined elsewhere, but I'm officially adopting it as it perfectly describes my reaction to amazing fashion moments. The huz is constantly mopping my jaw up of the ground when I spy a look I love.

Darling Anna, fashionista extraordinaire and professional stylist, not only had me drooling, but fully knocked me back on my heels with her amaze-balls style.


images by me and the alt summit flickr stream. quote by lauren hutton via

Anna's motto: "Life is too short to wear a bad outfit."

I <3 her.

Own the envy luvies. I certainly am! And be sure to check out more of Anna on her blog!

xo,
Mrs. E

Everything I Need to Know

I learned at Alt Design Summit!


image via here

I cannot begin to effectively communicate the waves of energy, inspiration and motivation that swept through every room, every talk and reverberated through every encounter I had during my 72 hours in Salt Lake City. The conference left me hoarse and on a high I hadn’t felt in so long.

The experience also left me with an epic to-do list. Here's what I have at the very top:

~ Get organized, with help from this, this, this, this and for the traditionalists, this
~ Be true to my passions
~ Know my worth
~ Collaborate, collaborate, collaborate {Want to join in the fun? Email me!}
~ Hold regular kickin' resource parties {What is a resource party, you ask? Find out more here!}
~ Throw all kinds of parties. All the time.
~ Aspire to be uber-nice (like Erin Loechner, aka the human sparkler) – it’s so much better than the alternative
~ Never, {ok, ok} try to never phone it in
~ Be a doer, not a talker

And I had to share a few of my other favorite takeaways:
 
~ Tall roomies rock!
~ Kirsten is pronounced like ear, deer and beer
~ "If life is water, blogging can be the drain"
~ Good friends are hard to find - but I feel like I suddenly have 400 more!
 
Fabulous Alt recaps continue to pop up everywhere and I highly recommend you make the rounds.

Between Caitlin, Lisa, Kirsten, Promise, Anna, Camille, Karey and Megan you'll find the practical, the poignant, the hilarious takes on Alt and everything in between.

I hoped my recap might help those who weren't able to be there learn a blogging tip or two, find a new blog {or a dozen!} to read and simply rest assured that there is a whole community out there to support you.

Till Alt Summit 2012 luvies!
*Mrs. E

My Alt Summit {Sartorial Sightings}

I promise I'll try to keep my gushing about Alt Summit to a minimum, but I had to recap a few of my favorite things about the experience ~ the first of which was the conference fashion ~ I'm sure you're shocked.

When you're surrounded by 400 incredibly talented bloggers and creatives from all around the country, you've got to bring your fashionista A-game. And let me tell ya, this was one good lookin' crowd. I, of course, immediately zeroed in on the exceptional footwear. I had eye candy for days!


center image by janie, images by me and via flickr

I also thought I'd give you a sneak peak into my Alt uniform. Apparently, I was very into black bottoms! And sky high heels, but that's a no-brainer. I did wear almost every single pair of the seven shoe options I brought. Is there such a thing as Shoes Anonymous?


iPhone photo skills by roomie caitlin flemming

Look 1: Zara tuxedo jacket, JCrew top, Citizen for Humanity jean, Acne Vega pump
Look 2: Anthropology top, black shorts, Acne Vega pump
Look 3: Michael Kors top, Theory cashmere vest and t-shirt, Zara trousers, Dries Van Noten pump
Look 4: Unknown top, Club Monaco trousers, Report Signature peep toes, Loft necklace

Fabulous fashion was only one small component of the amazingness that was Alt. Recaps are popping up all over. The Twitter stream is still going strong at #altsummit too.

And stop by later this week - I'll be sharing some more pics and my best blogging takeaways!

Happy {Lessons Learned} Weekend

In case you hadn't noticed, I'm super excited by the inspiration and great lessons I've been learning this week.Here a few quick cliffs notes:

~ Be authentic
~ Cultivate creativity
~ Size does matter (check my twitter feed to find out why!)

And most importantly,



Because when you do, you will find your bliss.


images via raina kattelson and aubrey road

I know, I know, easier said than done right? But I hope you have the opportunity to do something that fills you with sheer joy and satisfaction this weekend.

Because that is what life is really all about.

Till Monday luvies!
Mrs. E

What a Whirlwind

Luvies, for those of you who follow me on Twitter you certainly saw the Alt Summit frenzy going on today - I hope you're enjoying it. If you haven't heard, it's a gathernig of lifestyle and design bloggers happening in Salt Lake City this week.

I feel like I've been here for a week! But, the conversations have been divine. Now we're off to an Alt Summit hosted party and I cannot wait for more fun.



image via sacramento street - sorry I ddin't save the perma link but I will now after ethics session!

And if you weren't able to make it, a) we miss you! And b) feel free to follow the fun on Twitter. Just look for the  #altsummit hashtag!

I've Got a Crush

On a little Alt Summit inspiration!

images via that kind of woman, garnace dore, the clothes, miss moss, what i wore

Due to technical difficulties this post got truncated, but I promise I'll be back when we actually get internet access back!

Happy {Stylin'} Weekend

With the countdown to Alt Summit officially ON, the wardrobe planning is in full force. There will be closest assessment and reassessment going on this weekend.



It's time to get creative cuz this lady is on a budget!

There has been a lot of action on the blog this week so I thought I'd do a quick round up in case you missed any of it!

~ Our wedding photos made their grand debut on Style Me Pretty {thanks so much for all the sweet comments!}
~ I offered a little sneak peak into my purse
~ It's still winter, so you should still eat carbs

And if you're looking to snag some fabulous January deals be sure to check out my beloved Apartment 34 sponsors. For the fashionistas you Keri L. Designs, Promesse, Gorjana, Dressing on the Side, Wendy Mink and Dace. If you're looking to dress up your home don't miss Comfort & Samuel and Ralph's Grocery.

I'm also accepting sponsorship requests for February. Apartment 34 sponsorship options and rates are set with small creative businesses in mind so please let me know if you're interested!


Till Monday luvies,
*Mrs. E


image via patterson maker