Hi lovelies.  What a week.  I have to say the highlight for me was taking a trip into Chicago to attend the Decorate Book Tour at Anthropologie.

If you haven’t picked up a copy of Decorate yet, you are missing out.  I’m sure if you are reading this blog than you love design books, yes?  I do too.  Some are good, some disappoint, some are pretty and some, a rare few, become instant favorites.  And, Decorate undoubtedly falls into that category.  You know, the type that you not only look to for a quick hit of pretty but the type of design book that you reference again and again for ideas, inspiration and trusted information.

Many of you probably already know the author, Holly Becker, as she pens the widely popular design blog Decor8.  Not only does Holly author a major famous blog, a best selling book and articles for several online publications, she also teaches a course, which she founded, called Blogging Your Way.  Blogging Your Way is an online course to help you better your blogging skills.  I took the course last fall and enjoyed every second of it (and highly recommend it).  Holly was one of the very first design bloggers on the scene and if anyone can answer an array of blogging questions, suggestions and proven practices it’s  Holly.  I found the course to not only be insightful and inspiring but full of detailed useful information.  Things I had been wondering about and many things that I did not even think of were covered in the class.  The course is equal parts inspiring and practical.  I loved all of the pragmatic practices, programs and skills that were shared and introduced.  But above all, I loved hearing Holly’s story and encouraging words.

So, Tuesday night, I was able to attend a little Mood Board Demonstration by Holly as well as a book signing.  Holly was the very same person that she appears to be online.  She is both lovely and genuine.  I really appreciate that the voice she uses on her blog and the way she communicates with written word is the very same voice she speaks with in person (sometimes this isn’t so, friends).  She’s the real deal.  And don’t you just love those types the best?  Me too.

One of my favorite things about blogging is the friendships and connections I have had the prividlege of making.  So, if you are a blogger and you have an opporutnity to attend a meet up, a book signing or conference such as ALT don’t hesitate.

I spent the rest of my time in the city with my sister, Rocco and my dad.  It was a pretty fab 2 days!

ps- I loved meeting Callie from Grayson : A Different Shade of Gray + Nicole from Making it Lovely!

images | la la Lovely |