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...

Productivity=Sprinkle Donuts + Coffee

Planner by Sugar Paper

Today has been a productive day and yet I can still say, I just woke up from a super quick nap (yawn). With a sprinkle donut and coffee in hand, I took on this morning's tasks that included a bit of training (I have my first creative shop helper), shipped out a couple orders and still working on others. (Since the husband is off work today, he has been amazing in helping watch our son for the first part of the day to crank out the "to-dos". Thank you so much babe!!)

As I sit here, I am reminded of this past Saturday when I attended my second year at the Elevate Blog Conference. Catch up on the first year I attended. It was so inspiring to be immersed in a creative and encouraging environment of unique women-each with their own story.

I am still at a loss of words to share the wonderful day I had but I can't wait to share the experience very soon!

Just a tiny bit of the sweet swag from Elevate. Printable by Bluebirds Creative. Patterned clip by Paperflora.

What does your productive day look like?

That one time I saw my face in a pretty magazine

When I went to Elevate this past May, I knew it would be a great experience but I didn't know that it would lead to new friendships, bring me closer to the "blogging & handmade community" and that my face would be in one of the prettiest magazines!
When I saw Summer's Instagram post of the new Autumn issue of Artful Blogging, my heart got really excited! I mean, it isn't everyday that your experiences are captured (by Lora Knight-Thank You) and published to bookshelves. Well, not in my everyday life anyway. I'm no Angelina or Britney.

 A special Thank You to these lovely ladies who made this conference happen. Jen from Delightful Deets, Summer from Made by Munchies Mama and Nichole from Yeung Mother Hubbard.

Seriously looking forward to Elevate 2014 and seeing all the pretty ladies who attended in May along with new faces. If you are interested in attending a blogging conference-blogger or not-Elevate is perfect! We had so much fun with a craft, a service project, listening to inspirational speakers, eating YUMMY food and playing silly games. Read all about my experience here.
Would love to see you there!

The Elevate Blog Conference-A learning experience

First of all, let me just say that blogging can be so much more than just sitting behind a computer and typing paragraphs that circulate into the internet abyss. It can be so easy to think that your voice doesn't really matter or your story isn't important but "your story can save lives" -Sarah from Little Penelope Lane.

After attending Elevate this past Saturday in Huntington Beach, I found a new reason to blog and a new purpose. It was so refreshing to hear our inspirational speakers : Sarah from Little Penelope Lane, Erin from Living in Yellow, Kimmie from Sugar and Dots and Ashley from Little Miss Momma. They shared their stories and each one-although different-left an impact on us 50+ women listening in that room on the beach. I am so thankful for their courage and kindness they showed to each one of us! 

Once I got home I wrote a post about my heart on an internet platter and shared a more personal side of me. When I hit publish, I had an ache in my chest and a knot in my throat because it scared me to share some of my deepest feelings. So much that I actually deleted it a few hours later. When I did this, I thought about Ashley's words when she talked about how she's done the same and the internet can be scary to post your words but being relatable and finding your voice is very important. So, here is the post-again and I'm not going back on it. :)

Not only did we have amazing speakers, we had a BEAUTIFUL venue courtesy of Newport Dunes and a talented and hardworking team who put all of this together. Thank you so much Summer from Made by Munchies Momma, Jen from Delightful Deets and Nichole from Yeung Mother Hubbard! Also, thank you Lora Knight for taking photos and creating the fun video and thank you Allison from Madison Design Studio for all of the pretty graphic design work!

Now, here's a glimpse of the beautiful, crafty and inspiring day we had at Elevate.

Lora Knight Photography

When we arrived, we played a game to figure out what our characters/celebrities were on our back and then find our "mate/other half". I was a part of a winning team and by the way, I was Tow Mater. ;)

Lora Knight Photography

 We each got SPOILED by our wonderful sponsors! I will be sharing a few of the goods I received in later posts including that GORGEOUS pink scarf from Austenland and that YUMMY cake pop from Meringue Bake Shop.

Lora Knight Photography

With Jackie from Jackies Beauty Guide. So great to see her sweet face again!

We helped Sole Hope by cutting out fabrics to make shoes for children in Africa. It feels good to help make a difference and be a part of such a wonderful and caring organization!

Our speakers and the brains behind this event. THANK YOU ladies!

Lora Knight Photography

Our giveaway loot from our sponsors!! I won 3 colored mason jars from Beach Blues. LOVE them!

SUPER cute wooden sign from Evie Ivy and ADORABLE tooth fairy box made by Bubba's Basics.

Lora Knight Photography

Lora Knight Photography

It was a beautiful night to end my first blog conference and I left with memories I won't forget. <3