ATL Adventures: Design Camp + Shopping

{Design Camp Founders, Kelli Ellis and Lori Dennis}

Good morning! I just got back from a few days in Atlanta where I was lucky enough to attend Design Camp, a two-day seminar seminar hosted and instructed by celebrity interior designers Lori Dennis and Kelli Ellis, with special guest segments led by local and national industry experts in niche fields. They covered everything from 2013 design trends, blogging, photography, and social media to billing and contracts with incredible insight and unbelievable candor—nothing was off limits! It was so refreshing to go to a conference and have successful professionals share the strategies that lead them to where they are today without holding anything back.

{At the Sub Zero Wolf Cocktail Party with the Winners of my Design Camp Giveaway, Mimi and Kelsie—They were so sweet and so happy to be there. I was thrilled to meet them and to hear how much they loved camp!}

Honestly, I headed to camp with a tiny bit of trepidation. I’ve attended and spoken at a few design conferences and attend industry events regularly, so I wasn’t expecting to learn anything new. I figured I would get to network and have some fun. I could not have been more wrong. I have come away from Design Camp feeling refreshed, energized, and more motivated than ever. It was exactly the jolt that I needed. I was able to gather many valuable takeaways in TWO short days that I have already begun to implement into my life and my business. I hardly slept while in Atlanta because I was so excited about everything I was learning and my mind was going a million miles a minute thinking about how I could apply all of these new strategies to my life. I spoke with a lot of the 120 people in attendance and every one of them had a very similar experience. We all came away from camp feeling incredibly inspired and ready to take on the world.

If you want to get your design business on track this year, are looking for inspiration, want to network with other designers, or you want to delve into the business of interior design, I highly recommend Design Camp! There will be more sessions later this year, including camps in Seattle and Philadelphia, so be sure to check their website often. Design Camp really sparked something in me and while I can’t discuss anything in detail yet, there are some VERY exciting things in the works for me and La Dolce Vita as a result of my experience at Design Camp. 2013 is going to be a big, big year, so stay tuned!

{At the Sub Zero Wolf Party with Mimi and Lauren Haskett of Material Girls—Lauren and I are friends here in Houston so we ventured to camp together. I am so glad that I got to share this amazing experience with her.}

{Barry Dixon’s presentation was one of my favorites. He is so eloquent and inspiring. He draws inspiration from the most unexpected places and has the most incredible approach to life and design. Lauren, Lori, our new pal, Liz Carroll and I were so inspired by Barry and vowed to ask ourselves “What would Barry say?” whenever faced with a difficult or unsavory situation. He is the ultimate gentleman!}

{At the Lee Jofa/Kravet party with Clint Smith, editor of my favorite regional magazine, Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles}

{A Room Full of Designers and Design Aficionados at Design Camp}

{Kimberley Seldon’s presentation on branding and the business of design was my favorite. This woman is absolutely brilliant!}

{Design Camp was held at Atlanta’s historic Fox Theatre. Designed in Egyptian Revival style in the 1920s, it is so gorgeous and brings to mind Old Hollywood Glamour.}

{After our wonderful Design Camp experience, Lauren and I made some time on Saturday to check out one of Atlanta’s top design destinations—Pieces! The store is even more stunning in person. Every vignette is perfectly curated.}

{Yellow, Black, and Gold Goodness at Pieces}

{I love the graphic pops of color in this vignette. Pieces is a must if you are in Atlanta.}

{Circa Lighting generously donated a pair of beautiful lamps that were given away to two lucky winners at Design Camp. While in Buckhead, I made sure to stop by Circa’s new, expanded showroom. It is gorgeous and has so many designer-friendly features such as this beautiful meeting area for designers and their clients.}

{No visit to Atlanta would be complete without a pilgrimage to the mecca of all things chic—Ann Mashburn and Sid Mashburn. Every square inch is beautiful and perfectly curated.}

{Doors Leading from the women’s side at Ann Mashburn into the men’s side at Sid Mashburn}

{Call of the Wild at Sid Mashburn}

For more photos from my trip to Atlanta and other adventures, follow me on Instagram!