DIY BUSINESS CARDS + TRIP TO ALT - 1.2.15

Hi guys, it’s me, that girl katie, Life has been really hectic the past few weeks. One reason is because I took time out of my regular routine to attend The Alt Summit Winter, a blogging conference in Salt Lake City. I drove down to the conference with a few goals and came back refreshed and excited to continue on this blogging journey. I also came back with a speeding ticket....I guess I shouldn’t Drive + Design!

I have attended The Alt Summit Winter before and knew showing up with hip business cards that show a bit of your personality is not just a great idea it’s a smart idea. So, this year I did just that and here is how I did it.

I bought the InstaxShare and followed the steps to connect it to my phone and print out some pictures of myself. It’s not often I get the camera turned around on me so slim pickings on photos but I only needed a few.

I then used my label maker and printed out my web address and VOLIA I was done.

I met a variety of talented + inspiring + creative + kind women. Here are some of the business cards I rounded up and so worth checking out what these fabulous ladies are up to.

1)Kids Are The Worst 2)Hale Me A Cab 3)Tropic Of Candycorn 4)Wendys Hat 5)Iterate Social 6)Katie Dudley Photography 7)Design Mom 8)Art Bar Blog 9)Inchworm Academy 10)Designers Collective 11)And We Play 12)Little Sun Hat

I gained a lot new contacts + a bunch of tips + heaps of advice. My “To Do List” for That Girl Katie has a ton more ideas and goals on it, such as learning to take better pictures and buying some equipment that will help me achieve a more professional look while saving a lot of time in the editing room.

I also walked away with a notebook full of inspirational sayings. Lisa Congdon was the keynote speaker and she voiced a lot of Lessons and Lesson # 3 is still ringing very loud in my ear,

“Let go of the idea that someday it will all be perfect”

I feel I am somewhat new to the blogging world but I am slowly figuring it out one post at a time while building a community one follower at a time in a fun and creative non-perfect kind of way.

So, a BIG thank you for continuing to check out my non-perfect blog.

MY KIDS & ME - 5.30.14

Hi guys, it's me, that girl katie,

I wanted to do something special to remember my birthday this year so I decided to have pictures taken of my kids and me. My husband doesn’t like having his picture taken so, I saw no point in forcing the idea on him. Plus, he thought I was nuts when I was preplanning our vineyard vines outfits.

Some of you might know that my sister recently died and I have given myself a personal quote for the year “It’s Better To Look Up”. I imagine the more I say and think it, the more I will start to feel and believe in it. I knew these pictures would help remind me to look up.

So, when thinking about the photo shoot, I thought giant balloons would be fun for the kids, goes with my personal quote while also adding a pop of color. Or at least, that is what I was hoping for but I am learning things don't always turn out as planned.

By the time the photo session took place, you would of thought my kids had taken a 4 hour nap and I had pumped them up with sugar. Not the case! They went nuts for these balloons, the outdoor space and the fresh air.

These pictures turned out great and that speaks volumes for the photographer, mandy & me.

I often feel like a lioness with her cubs. I would do anything to PROTECT my kids and I know I am so lucky to be here watching and playing with them as they grow up.

My Photographing Tips:

- Coordinate and plan your outfits. - Have back up outfits. - Have 1-2 props for the kids to play with that adds to the picture. - Let kids be kids. - Shoot during the peak hours of 4:30-6:00pm when the sun is setting. - If all else fails, bring out some candy.