THINGS ARE CHANGING //

ALT SUMMIT was amazing. It was my 2nd year at ALT and my 1st year as a speaker. I was truly honored to share the stage with 3 brilliant women sharing some tips & tricks about blog & web design. Luckily, our panel was the very first of the conference, so I could get all of my butterflies and nervousness out of the way! Then, I could fully soak in the inspiration, knowledge and excitement for the rest of the week.

This year, I went with friends, and as a result had a completely different experience from last year (going alone). I didn't get to meet as many people as I did the previous year, BUT I was able to really get to know some people really closely (who I would now count as some of my closest friends). The whole week, I felt completely surrounded by "my people" – "my tribe". It was a beautiful thing. I felt alive, excited & ready to tackle some of my biggest 2012 goals.

A few things happened (back home) while I was at ALT, and I had some time to really think and get some space while being away. I am realizing more and more how important it is to THINK. To give yourself moments of quiet, of silence, of reflection. Sometimes in the chaos of life, I don't take the time to just sit. And luckily, with some big decisions before me, I was given the gift of reflection while I was away at ALT.

I went home with a head full of ideas, a suitcase full of letterpress, a wallet full of beautiful business cards (from the talented ALT attendees) and a heart full of new friends.

I know, right? I'm still in a bit of shock. I have loved every minute working full-time at Rare Method (an advertising agency in Calgary). I've been able to work on some big projects (& even won an anvil award for my design) with a truly talented team. I wouldn't take back any of the time that I have spent – but sometimes it's better to leave on a high note than stay longer, and leave when you can't stand it anymore. It was a really really hard decision. One that happened very quickly, but one that I feel as though I thought about for like EVER! So, I sit here, typing this post and feeling...

Ben really said it best (during his AMAZING keynote address at ALT). And to be honest, I giggled when he clicked to a slide with the venn diagram (above), not realizing I would completely empathize with his sentiment only a few days later. So,

It's pretty wild. Exciting. Terrifying. Amazing. All at the same time. I'm excited for the unknown, but also peeing my pants a little. I have some ideas for changing things up that will be happening in the next few months (I'll let you know about as they come). I don't know what the future holds, but I'm not looking back. I'm ready, open and willing for any opportunity that comes. Exciting times! I still can't believe that it's only February. FEBRUARY! I had a feeling 2012 was going to be a BIG year... but FEBRUARY!? What is going to happen in the next 11 months? Who knows, but let's do this!

NOW, this is the fun part. If you are looking for a graphic designer (for branding/identities, print design, web & blog design, etc...), visit my portfolio site &

The best is yet to come, right?

LOST INSTA

Just went through a few photos on my phone, and found a few gems I hadn't posted from the last 2 weeks. Thought I would share.

Are you on instagram? You can find me here: @welikewelove

LADY LOVE //

Guess what, y'all? Today, I'm over on Emma's blog for her Lovely Lady post. (Thank you for asking me, Lovely Emma! You are just too sweet!)
So, please go visit & say hello to E. & see my full outfit.


PS. Shane and I had so much fun shooting my outfit the other day-- I may have gotten hooked on doing the whole "style post" documentation // I would love to start doing it on my own blog, but I want to make sure it's authentic! I'll keep you posted on what I figure out!


& yes, that is an armpit I'm standing in front of :)

MY FAV // DAILY DARLIN'

My husband (the photographer) has a photo series called Daily Darlin' // where he shoots a photo of moi + a photo of our life = creating a diptych that he posts daily. I thought it might be fun to choose my favorite combo each week, and post it here. So...
MY FAVORITE OF THE WEEK // I love the coloring of the photo on the right mixed with the pop of color in my belt.

BACK @ 'ER

I'm back from Alt Summit. Completely inspired. My head is SPINNING with new ideas.
Some big changes are happening. I can't really spill anything YET, but I'm really excited to let you in on it (soon-ish)! I didn't realize how big 2012 would be. & It's only January! Say what?!


And I'll fill you in on what happened at Alt early next week (quickly though, my presentation went great!). I haven't had a chance to fully process everything, so I'm going to wait a few days, but I thought I would share some of the fun photobooth-ing that happened at the mini-parties on Friday night. I had way too much fun running from party to party with my girls.


xx

photos via { Smilebooth // Rue La La // Carolee Beckham + Pinhole Press + GWG }

ALT-it-up!

Today is the day! I can't believe Alt Summit is already here. I'm so excited to see old friends, meet my online friends in the real, & make NEW ones. (& speak! Ahhh!)


It's starting to bring back memories of last year // & I wanted to share!


Last year, my first year attending, I went alone. Yup. ALONE. It was the most terrifying experience getting off the plane, & being thrown into a see of print & pattern & giggling women (ok, there was like a handful of guys too). I'm not an extrovert. I get nervous & awkward when I'm in new surroundings meeting new people. I'm quiet (initially) & an observer.


Being alone meant that if I didn't step out of my comfort zone, I would leave with a bit of inspiration, a little more knowledge, but no memories. So I did it, I stepped out. WAY OUT. I went to the panels alone, keynotes alone, lunches alone, parties alone, BUT left with so many new friends. Gosh, ALT attendees are so friendly. I'm not going to lie, it was uncomfortable, but it was stretching (in a really good way). I even made myself go up & talk to SwissMiss, & not just be like "I'm your biggest fan", but actually have a full-on conversation. 


To sum this little vent-session up: I went by myself knowing NO ONE. & left with so many new friends that I have kept in contact with this whole year. It was the coolest thing.


I can't wait to jump on the plane in a few hours, and hug my friends when Liz & I arrive. We are also rooming with the gorgeous Alex of AVE Styles // so I'm pretty excited to get to know her better!


If you want to keep updated on all of the fun, follow Liz & I on twitter //
@welikewelove
@welikeweloveliz


OR
instagram //
@welikewelove
@welikeweloveliz


//
See you when we get back & wish me luck! (I speak at 9am on Thursday!)
xx
A.

NEW MUSIC MONDAYS //

Sleeping At Last "Tethered" (off the April album, from their 12 album a month EP)
The constant chord progression (I think that's what it's called) in this song really kills me. The build is just so fantastic. Enjoy!

FEELS LIKE HOME // Dreaming

Don't mind me over here. I'm just dreaming of my perfect home, one with white-washed brick, wooden beams, lots of natural light, high ceilings, mid-century accents and wooden tables. Not asking for much, right?


Dream with me over on my Pinterest board // Feels Like Home.
(these images & more can be found over there!)

New Music Mondays

Graffiti6 "Goodbye Geoffrey Drake"


Hope you enjoy this as much as I did. I just love the feeling of stumbling upon a really beautiful piece of art. This song is magic.

ALL I WANT //

I've been a holiday-gift-guide-machine this week (1: here // 2: here // 3: here). And I'm really loving everything I've been choosing! But this year, I don't really have anything on MY wish-list – and I love that! I really don't want (or need) anything, I'm way more excited to GIVE this year. I cannot wait to see people's faces when they open their gifts from Shane & I – we've had so much fun choosing, creating and shopping for everyone on our list. That is what is keeping me up at night with excitement and giving me the "Christmas morning" butterflies...
What are you most excited about this Christmas?
xx


PHOTO by Shane.

NEW MUSIC MONDAYS

Jinja Safari "Hiccups"


I love this video so very much. The energy is infectious and the song is pretty great too.
& I love the descriptions of how the video was created:
"We gathered our friends together with an idea about running amok through our house in Sydney. This is what happened."

GIFTS // Newly-wed

This morning, I'm over at the Core's blog, giving some ideas for last-minute Christmas gifts. I was asked by the Core (one of Calgary's best shopping experiences & it's in the downtown core) to choose a few gifts for those newly-weds in your life (This was a fun request as I still consider myself newly married, 2.25 years, yay!).


Go check the post out, and if you live in Calgary, you should really visit downtown this week-- it's beautifully decorated, the parking is GREAT & the selection for shopping is top-notch.


Merry gifting!
xx

NEW MUSIC // Jordan Klassen

Write this name down:
Jordan Klassen


His EP is coming soon. And you won't want to miss it.
In the meantime, check out this phenomenal teaser video created by the ever talented Brock Mitchell (actually, write his name down too). The cinematography paired with Jordan's music is almost too much to handle.


On top of all of that, Andrea Strand is the blonde-haired beauty floating around in the teaser video. When she's not floating, she's creating the coolest bags, clutches, jewelry... so, please write her name down as well.


I'm just totally & completely impressed & inspired by all of it. I think the only thing left is for you to experience the video for yourself. Enjoy:

WLWL9

WLWL 9 has arrived!

This issue is full of fashion, photography, art, music and more. Even a little "how-to" on becoming a gentleman.

A HUGE thank you to all of our contributors who shared their likes and loves this issue. We are so honoured to have contributors from all over the world. This issue they come from Canada, the U.S., Spain, United Kingdom and France. Amazing!

So go check out the NEWEST issue, and share the love...

Photos // Elyse Bouvier (cover photographer)

Make-up // Dalyce Chomick

Model // Fen

FASHION FINDS // BLONDES

Classic beauty at it's best.


via { Jak and Jil }