Elevate Blog Conference 2014 RECAP

Last year, I attended my first blog conference in Newport Beach, Ca. This past Saturday, I returned to the Newport Dunes clubhouse to attend Elevate once again.

It was such an inspiring day to be immersed among such talented women! I feel like there is not enough time in one day to really get to talk and get to know everyone there. Last year, I really regretted not reaching out and networking more so this year, I tried harder to step out of my comfort zone of meeting new people and I still feel like I could have done more. I know a lot of you have felt this way after reading some of your posts. I think it's just inevitable when we are in an environment with so many opportunities and like-minded people around us. If I didn't get to meet you, please comment or email me at lovesparklepretty@aol.com because I'd love to connect with you!

This year, Elevate was incredible once again. From lunch catered by Bj's Pizza, encouraging and talented speakers, lots of AMAZING giveaways, swag for dayyyss, crafts to take home, dinner catered by Cafe Rio, TONS of delicious sweets and a HILARIOUS game of Minute to Win it, this day had my cup overflowing.

I am so thankful for this event put on by Jen from Delightful Deets, Summer from Made by Munchie's Momma and Nichole from Yeung Mother Hubbard with so much help by their wonderful families! I am completely blessed because of each of YOU!

I could go on and on about this beautiful day but instead, here are some photos...

My friend Tara from Laila's Charming Pieces and I went to Elevate together. Such a blessing to share this experience with a close friend!

The lovely Jen and Summer who put their whole hearts into this day!

Ellen Style selfie! Chrissy, you are too wonderful for capturing this!!

Creativity is anything but tidy!

YUUMMMMY tacos from Cafe Rio!

HOLY SWAG!

I spy my dreamcatcher and daisy crown I donated for the giveaway...

Thank you so much to Alissa from Diary of an Addict & Desiree from The 36th Avenue for posting my dreamcatcher! 

I am creating a limited amount of these large dreamcatchers if you'd like to custom order one! They are going quickly so email me at lovesparklepretty@aol.com if you are interested.

Tee-Pee by Tnees Tpees  

Cara from Maskcara demonstrated some of her amazing talent with makeup. Megan from Absolute Mommy got some new eyebrows. Love!

Desiree from The 36th Avenue and Lisa from Lisa Leonard Designs were such wonderful and inspirational speakers!

Desiree, first off, won the key to my heart as she gifted each of us a package of delicious DONUTS! As she shared her heart and her story, she made me laugh SO hard and cry when her words became personal and raw. Thank you so much for your honesty Desiree and opeing up to us!

When I found out Lisa was speaking at the conference, I was ECSTATIC! I totally admire her and when I met her for the first time in person, she truly exceeded any expectations I may have had. She really is so kind hearted and loving. When it was her time to speak, I was all ears...even with a camera lens at my eye. Her words spoke straight to my heart. "The more you are yourself, the better you will be." "Be Brave." "Be Loving." Thank you so much Lisa for sharing your heart!

Chrissy from Let Me See You Sparkle and Stephanie from Life Created gave some photography advice. Thank you both for your courage to speak to all of us! I know you guys didn't have too much time to prepare but you both did great and you are so enduring!

Cara from Maskcara, Ashley from Little Miss Momma and Alissa from Diary of an Addict shared a round of tips for blogging from posing for photography to affiliate links. Thanks girls!

All of the women who helped make this event happen! 

With the beautiful Lisa Leonard.

At the end of the night, we got to take home CRONUTS from DK's Donuts!!

Sweet dreams Newport.

Ended the night at Alissa's house for a little bon fire and snacks. 

Thank you so much Alissa for opening your gorgeous home! I may have not been home until 2:30am but this day was all well worth it!! 

Until next year...

7 Things I Have Learned from Blogging

A while back, I created a 7 things I have learned from the Handmade Biz post to shed some light to those who might have started a handmade shop or are thinking about it. Sharing my experiences may help those in the same boat as well as give me something to gauge my learning process.

Today, I am sharing another learning experience list. This one pertaining to blogging.

After starting this blog back in 2011, I didn't have a clear goal for this space, I didn't know too much about branding and I didn't know ANYTHING about the blogging world. A couple years later, I have learned the value of having a blog including the friendships that can be gained, the content that can inspire others, the growth it can bring to a business and a way to make a little extra cash. There is still so much more experience to gain and lots to learn but this is what I have come to understand from my perspective of blogging.

I will start by saying, bloggers are human beings. Even the most "glamorous" of bloggers, doesn't matter how put together their style posts are, how professional their designs appear and how "perfect" their life seems to be, they are not so different than you and I. Remember this.
As for me, this is how I blog 90% of the time-in the middle of the night while the baby and hubby are sleeping and the house is silent. Keep this in mind when reading anyone's posts because I'm pretty positive, I'm not the only one...

Let's talk photography. Now, I'm not saying you NEED a DSLR camera, but I will certainly encourage saving up for one (or at least a good point and shoot). When I purchased mine off of Craigslist (yup, that's right) and started capturing shots to include in my posts, I noticed a HUGE change in the way I blogged and my brand. My site looked so much more enticing to look at and I also started receiving a lot of compliments on the photography. I honestly enjoy looking at pictures online more than I do reading a lot of content on a computer screen (hello Pinterest age).
Pretty photos certainly increased the "inspiration" factor of my posts. Want to see a difference? This is a DIY post I did with a camera phone. This is a DIY post I did with my Canon DSLR.

No-reply bloggers are not the bees-knees. Most who are no-reply bloggers don't even know it and wonder why their comments aren't responded to. Please link your email to your blog using this tutorial so I (and everyone else) can respond back to your sweet words directly to you! Enough said.

Page views are more important than the amount of followers you have. Or at least when it comes to making some money while blogging. I get several emails asking if I'd like to review product, include links to company sites and/or be a part of different affiliate programs. This is because of my page view count (which at the moment is 71,000+) not because I have thousands of followers-because I don't. Leaving links on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram,  my shop etc. all leading to my blog, increase that page view count which in turn, increases your analytics. (You can use the site Alexa to view your web sites data).
Totally not saying that followers aren't important to stats because they definitely are if you are serious about making a profit with your blog. Your interaction stats are really important as well but if you want to get started with making a few extra bucks, get people to look at your site. Your followers will trickle in.

If you have a blog, having other social media sites such as Instagram, Twitter and Facebook should come with your "blogging package." These sites help with broadening exposure and outreach. Also, create your accounts with consistency in your usernames! It's hard to find someone if their Instagram name is different from their Twitter is different from their blog, etc. I admit that I am guilty of this with some of my accounts such as Twitter because the username LoveSparklePretty is considered too long so I went with KaylafromLSP. Thinking about changing it though because it still doesn't really correlate easily. Do you see how the same usernames are completely helpful though? ***Account update-my twitter has been hacked so I can't log in and change anything. The only time I can post to twitter is through my IG posts.

Staying on the topic of consistency, let's talk domain names. Not only can you get your own custom domain name for only $10/year (learn how here) but your blog domain name should match the name of your blog title! This is what I mean-my blog title is Love Sparkle Pretty. That means, my blog URL is lovesparklepretty.blogspot.com and my landing page is lovesparklepretty.com. It is NOT kaylasblog.blogspot.com or even ilovecupcakes.blogspot.com. Make sense? When searching for a blog, you tend to remember it by blog title, not the URL so matching both really makes a difference.

As much as blogging can become a way to earn some extra cash, for me, I have gained so much more than what money can buy. I have created friendships and have met some amazing people through blogging. You put your thoughts out there for everyone to see which in turn, is read by people who can relate or find your story humbling, interesting, exciting, hilarious and/or captivating and a friendly relationship is sparked by an email or a comment.
I have also found that stepping outside of your comfort zone and attending blogging/business/craft conferences are not only knowledgeable and super fun but they expand your networking skills as well as your friendship circle. You can meet others with similar interests and let others get to know the girl (or guy) behind the blog which is crucial because YOU are your brand!

Read about my experience at the Elevate Conference and see the next one one I'm attending at the end of the month!

Lora Knight Photography

I am so grateful for the blogging community and even more thankful for those who have impacted this little space by reading, following along, leaving a sweet note or even supporting my handmade shop. This allows me to stay at home with my toddling son to capture his growing and creative years as well as keep our family as close as possible just as the Lord intended. THANK YOU!

Charm by Jourdan' Handmade Jewels

What have you learned from blogging?

Cold Hands, Warm Hearts Swap!

Last night, I joined in on what will be my first swap! :) Cold hands, warm hearts is hosted by bloggers sandyalamode and much love, illy.

What this swap is, is a chance to really make a new friend in the blogging world in such a fun and creative way! When you sign up (you must be a blogger as a requirement), you get paired with a partner (they try to pair you up with someone from another country) and you get to create a super cute package for them which includes a pair of gloves that should keep their hands warm this winter and any other goodies you would like to send. I'm so excited about this fun opportunity & can't wait to start getting a creative package ready and receiving a lovely package as well! I wonder who my partner will be and where they will be from...hmmmm? :)



Read more about this swap HERE. There are only 150 spots for bloggers to sign up so sign up quickly if you are interested! :D

Those 2 Lines=Life Changing News

Well, we all know it's been a while since I have posted & although I gave fair warning a couple months back, I can't help but feel like this break has been too long! I once said that I will be preoccupied and too busy to post these past couple of months due to schooling, work, & volunteering & even though that still holds true, it wasn't just my crazy schedule that held me back--On the morning of March 30th at around 8:15 am, I found out some news that would change mine & my husband's life forever...I saw a positive & then another positive on the two white sticks I peed on that morning...We are having a baby :D

So, needless to say, I have had a lot on my mind these past couple months on top of my already over worked mind. At first it was a lot of questioning about finishing nursing school, how we are going to afford taking care of a baby, and whether or not we are ready to become parents. Then, after realizing that going to nursing school actually worked itself out for the best, finding out that our finances are pretty well taken care of, and becoming parents is the most exciting thing that has ever happend to us--other than getting married--excitement and anxiousness has overwhelmed us and the questioning has turned into baby names, how we are going to decorate the nursery, the different memories we are eager to encounter with our new loved one, and what he/she will look like.

It's funny how the Lord's plans overshadow our own even though we may try really hard to make things go our way. In the end, it doesn't matter how many times we see ourselves in the future living according to what we have in mind for our life, chances are, we will be on a different path and not exactly living how we pictured ourselves at one point. For me, I know it's even better than what I imagined it ever could be :)

Today, I am 12 weeks and 1 day

Our baby is about the size of a roma tomato.

A BIG BREAK--& not a good one :(

School is officially back in session and with a full load this semester consisting of college algebra, ASL II, Basic Arrythmia, and Medical Terminology---while working---& finishing my nursing applications---as well as starting my volunteer work next month at a pregnany center, I don't know where I will find any time to finish projects that I have started or create anything new :-/ So, blogging as well as using my creativity (except with new study habits) won't be as frequent as I would like, if at all. ::Sigh:: Wish me good luck this semester--until June 8th!! I will need it!!!!

Favorite blog{s} of the day! {Maybe of all time!}

So while I was at CBU the other day waiting for my transcripts to be processed, my husband and I visited the bookstore and sat down on the big comfy couch in there. Then, lo and behold, on the table sitting in front of me was....this magazine!I picked it up and immediately started reading and ooo-ing and ahhh-ing over the pages full of different blogs and their creativity, journeys through photography, writing, and missions to change the world in a positive way!
Through this mind captivating trip, I stumbled upon the publication of this blog & had to share it!!
{Red Velvet Art}--OFFICIAL SITE



It's comprised of 4 girls that share a fascination for creativity and making pretty things. Their shared BLOG can be found here:



They also have a vintage shop in Springfield, MO which I would love to visit...if I ever somehow end up in Missouri!



They create handmade accessories, cutesy art, fashion, fashion tips, DIY projects, home decor, music, but my favorite...are the blogs from these 4 different girls and their ideas! This is Elsie's blog {She's the boutique owner & designer}:


There's also Rachel's Blog {She's a work at home mama "with a love for old things and a constant itch to be making something useful or pretty"} :



::Ahhh:: so if somehow you can't get a hold of me...it might be because I'm lost in all of the loveliness and creativity postings in these different blogs :)