hi lovelies.  you knew it was coming, right?  the ALT recap, just like last year.  if you follow along on instagram or twitter than you probably saw a little of this or a little of that.  as always it was a really great time.

if i’m 100% honest, i would tell you that i really didn’t feel like going this year.  that i was this close to selling my ticket at the very last minute.  but i kept ignoring that nagging little voice until it was too late to turn back.  and i’m so glad i did.  yes i’ve been a few other times and yes, i know quite a lot about blogging at this point (although, i’m a believer that there is always something new to learn) but it is the relationships and networking that just can’t be beat.  i’ve made some really great friends over the years and for that my heart is happy (and it’s so fun to meet bloggers you’ve been following for a very long time, like one of my fave aussie bloggers).

i roomed with kirsten grove , promise tangeman, and jasmine star.  i know…. 3 amazing women and friends.  we had the best time, sharing our stories, laughing, encouraging each other and just being together.  my favorite moments were with these talented, kind and generous souls.  if you aren’t familiar with their work, you will want to be, i promise!

as always every detail was thought out and executed in the prettiest of ways at ALT.  the days were rich with insight and the evenings sparkled with smiles and fashion that left me unable to keep my focus on one person or thing for more than a moment.

i’d love to break up everything i learned in separate posts but i think it’s best to keep it all in one place.

karen walrond’s session on finding your voice really spoke to me.  her words on comparison are maybe the best i’ve heard and i’m pretty sure you will want to hear them too.

“when you compare yourself to others you are comparing your insides to their outsides.”  yeah.  woah. right?  she went on to say that, “comparison is something you do and then feel bad.  while inspiration makes you want to do better work.”

the other thing she encouraged us all to do is to “name what lights you up.”  in other words write down every.single.thing that you like (literally – like she said she wrote down that she likes to let glue dry on her hand and then peel it off – ha – you like that too?).  then go back and and answer why? to each thing on your list.  you will likely start to see a pattern and then it will start to be easy to hear what your voice has to say.  who knows maybe i’ll make my list here on la la and we can start a conversation and you can share your lists too?

then there was the keynote stefan stagmeister, the world famous graphic designer.  yes, i admit, i hadn’t heard of him.  but i was completely captured by his creativity and his work (and i’m not necessarily talking about the first photos he shared with us, if you were there.. ha).  he was warm, interesting, and naturally cool.  he shared about his upcoming documentary the happy film.  we were able to preview the first 12 minutes and it  was captivating to say the least.  he measures success by “doing more of the things i like to do and fewer of things i don’t like.”  simple.  but sometimes so hard to do.  his TED talk on “the 7 rules for making more happiness,” covers some of things he shared with us, from what i’ve heard (i can’t wait to watch it).

i also heard my roomie, Jasmine’s session on personal branding was tops (she was my fave last year) but sadly had to miss it as i was off interview jessica alba (as in the movie star).  i’ll be sharing about that tomorrow, so check back!

another highlight for me is that my friends from the land of nod were there as sponsor and hosted a swan soiree tea party that was second to none.  check out this giant swan boat.  i had fun hanging out with my friends from nod and it was super fun to be able to share with other bloggers about my upcoming feature and work with them.  they even had a poster of little old me.

besides all the growing and getting to knowing there was a lot of fun going on.  smilebooth fun, yes.  dressing up fun, of course, and this year a little getting your dancey dance on too!

and you are probably wondering about the business cards from ALT ?  they are as pretty and over the top (in the best kind way) as ever.  i’ll also be sharing some photos of those this week as well.

and if you are wishing for a few more bits than these words on the subject of work / balance will help your monday, i promise.

+balance isn’t getting everything done.  it’s a matter of spending your time in useful ways
+defend your time and start by saying NO
+be a good boss to yourself
+what are your secret energy sources?  make a list (some of mine would be writing, reading, going to movies by myself, praying, walking) + do them.

and hey, if you are ever considering going to ALT, then go.  i know it’s not cheap.  but it’s a worthwhile investment.