Pint it!

I'm following through on a goal I set for myself after attending Alt Summit. Building on the energy of creating my editorial calendar, I also created Pinterest boards associated with each day and/or theme. Check out the revisions I made to the editorial calendar and you'll get all the links you need to re-pin and play along. Because how much do we love Pinterest? So much.

For example, I have a board called Wanderlust where the photos and resources from my Travel Tuesday posts will be pinned. You'll see the photos from yesterday's post on Castine, Maine already pinned and ready to go. Re-pin and spread the love.

There's a board for Denmark research, my Happiness Project, creative feats, link love goodies comin' at you every Friday, my photography, and more, plus the boards I already had before the blog was integrated (i.e. mostly dealing with my interior design obsessions).

The beauty of Pinterest is the collaboration, the community of pins and re-pins. Help spread the word. {click to tweet} #mymadeleines blog is now rocking Pinterest: globetrotting, photography, feats of creativity, design, & food porn! http://bit.ly/13tAnvl

Love and pins,
me

Alt Summit: Creative Overload

Whew. That was amazing. My brain is full of creative juices and they're flowing like crazy. I decided to switch venues from my Friday roost and spent all day Sarturday attending classes online and watching the world go by out my front window. I was also closer to the string cheese this way. 

Cozy spaces make me happy.

I haven't had a spare moment to process all the awesomeness, but I hope to soon. Well, soon-ish. I fly out tomorrow morning on a business trip. Since Alt ended on Saturday evening I've...

...been to dinner...

...and the ballet with my friend John.

Today I hosted brunch for 7 of my amazing friends.

Then this afternoon there was a situation appointment involving all sorts of wax and all sorts of pain and we don't need to discuss it. I'm now packed, mostly. My stack of Apple products are adequately charged. My cab is coming super early to shuttle me away. I'm anxious to review my notes and set a game plan, but perhaps the plane ride will give me time to reflect on Alt and everything I absorbed. 

My initial thoughts are:

{ Pinterest }

It was repeated by multiple speakers that you need to pick a couple social media platforms and invest time to build a community there, versus a shallow community everywhere. I have that on Instagram, I'm trying to build that more on this blog, but I've decided I need to pay more attention to Pinterest. I love everything about it, and I know I can curate boards people will want to see and share, it just overwhelms me. There's too much awesome. Managing the awesome can be a part time job, but I want to give it more attention. So, Pinterest. 

{ Organize }

I need an editorial calendar for this blog. I've known that for a while, but I'm finally going to do it. 

{ Photographs }

I need to put down my iPhone and get back to high(er)-quality photos. Many people at Alt talked about how challenging it is for them to take photos for their blog. I felt fortunate that I have the passion, skills, and equipment to do that; but then I felt lazy for only re-posting grainy Instagram photos on here. I'll do better from now on and be more intentional about professional photographs. 

{ Graphic Design }

I should've got a degree in graphic design. I can take free classes at the college where I work and I think I'm finally going to do it. I'm not going to do it a degree-seeking way, I'm content with my BA and MA as they are, but I am going to develop those skills. 

{ Overhaul }

It's inevitable that I will overhaul the entire design of this site, with or without the graphic design classes. Also, I may switch platforms (opinions, anyone?). Also also, I'm considering a logo. 

That's it for now. Stayed tuned for more Alt insights (and changes) in the coming weeks. 

xo, 

me

Alt Summit: Location. Location. Location.

#fromwhereialt

Yesterday I mused that Alt for Everyone's "entirely online format is a great way for me to get my feet wet. The mythical magical far away someday Alt Summit feels considerably more manageable in my yoga pants on the couch." I was right. And cozy.

I could only participate in one class today, but it definitely got the ball rolling. My introduction to the summit was "Organized Online" taught by Liz Stanley of Say Yes to Hoboken. It was a validation that my OCD is indeed a superpower, and it was an eyeopener as to the business side of blogging full-time. I'm excited for the next two days and eight more events.

Oh, in answer to the question of how many Apple products it takes to attend a webinar, apparently four (if you include the phone used to snap this pic). Hashtag multitask the media.

Alright, Alt. You and me. Same couch. Same yoga pants. Mañana.

Alt for Everyone: Swagtastic.

In their own words: "Altitude Design is your definitive resource for the very serious business of beautiful, brilliant blogging. A community of exciting, creative thinkers and entrepreneurs..." Sweet. I'm all about beautifully brilliant things. And this year, I'm all about Alt for Everyone. For me the Alt Summit has been something mythical and magical and far away...something only purely fabulous people do...something I would love to do...someday. 

Well kids, in the spirit of 2013 and My Happiness Project, someday is now Thursday. Like, tomorrow. It's all part of my master plan to take back my creativity and then take it further than I've ever imagined. 

...and so it begins. With swag.

Brace yourself for the shout outs. Clickety click the links and show these awesome people some love.

The sponsor of all sponsors brought branded Mason jars to the party. #thanksbing

@BlueQness brought all sorts of awesomeness to the party...tucked away in this cute bag. 

Blue Q uses recycled materials, donates to the Nature Conservancy, and employs adults with disabilities.
Oh, and makes cute stuff. Pretty awesome, if you ask me.

Zelma Rose started a beautiful hashtag: #ihaveloveinmyheartforyou

How gorgeous is my curio? Check out Lisa Shaffer's website for all sorts of goodies. #ihaveloveinmyheartforyou

Ivory and Ash are in LA making amazing organic shea lip balm, btw. So soft.

Lila Smyth of Lingering Daydreams shares my washi tape fixation. Look...cute cupcake flags!

Childhood List sent handmade crayons (bee + soy waxes). Can't wait to incorporate in my mixed media art! 

pixelimpress nailed it. Stationary. Turquoise. Gold. Gorgeous.

The schedule and course offerings are awesome. Participants can take seven classes, hear the keynote, and network with people in one meet-up event. I'm ready and excited to absorb as much information as I possibly can. This is the first time they've offered Alt for Everyone, and the entirely online format is a great way for me to get my feet wet. The mythical magical far away someday Alt Summit feels considerably more manageable in my yoga pants on the couch.

Baby steps toward fabulous. Let's do this.

xo,
me