2012 Year in Review: Can you say Polka?

So after another amazing few days of ALT Summit, I have arrived back to New York feeling overwhelmed, inspired, exhausted, excited, ...um, exhausted, and a little anxious.. and did I say exhausted yet?

So you get what I mean, right?

Almost exactly 1 year ago I posted about ALT Summit as a first time attendee, and how I felt pretty much the same as I do now (except that I didn't cry as much this time in between each panel - Yes, I am a crier - Don't judge me!)


So, as I hung my badge from this year, I realized that it might be fun to take a look back at some of the high points of 2012, and send a little thanks to all that made it special. Just take a look at some of the badges I have kept as souvenirs, and YES it has been a pretty busy year, to say the least.

2012 - my year to discover everything I could about blogging

Kick started by ALT Summit/January of 2012 - known as the Year of the Bun, 

& meeting Ben Silbermann of Pinterest - which in turn started my love of Pinterest

(but of course)..

and getting my portrait taken by Karen Walrond of Chookoolonks as part of her 1000 faces photographic adventure.

Graciously, this blog was nominated as a finalist for "Best New Design Blog" as part of the Design Bloggers Conference in L.A. Hall of Fame, where I finally met in person some new online friends, that have meant the world to me over the course of this year.

One person especially - Leslie Carothers of The Kaleidoscopic Partnership, has rocked my world in the most incredible way, beginning with our collaboration on The Curtain Exchange 2 week Curtain & Drapery Series which still to date have been some of my most popular posts (check them all out here!) to the beginning of Olioboard which is now a widely popular online moodboard site. 

With Olioboard in 2012, I visited the Nate Berkus show, spoke with Leslie at High Point Market about how it could work in "tandem" with Pinterest, and visited BlogHer in New York City.

While at High Point, I was able to visit all of the amazing showrooms and brands as one of the lucky Style Spotters with 25 highlighted finds that I wanted to showcase as what I thought would be sure bets for the next season. So, did I get them right? Check out my Pinterest board on all my finds!

I was invited to curate a sale for the fab online flash sale site, Joss & Main (that also was responsible for the exciting Alt Summit Clue party my my last post). See how everything comes full circle?

My trip to Blogfest with with a visit to the Kips Bay Showhouse, and a great conversation between Ann Maine of Traditional Home and Alexa Hampton

I was able to cover some really fantastic fairs, shows, events and previews as a Design Blogger such as Holiday House, New York Gift Show, Piers Antique Show, and so many more that it would be impossible to list them all (just give the search button a whirl).

September, not only the month I was born in, BUT, also the month of Brizo's New York Fashion Week trip to view Jason Wu's Spring/Summer 2013 collection presented

as well as my trip as part of BlogTour London with Modenus.

Check out all the BlogTour posts here!

and finally back again to this year's ALT Summit - The Year of the Polka Dot!

images: Justin Hackworth/Brooke Dennis
via ALT Flikr feed

So what is 2013 all about?

I want 2013, to be about DESIGN. Bringing my Interior Design practice to new heights while helping my clients achieve a beautiful space filled with happiness and love, as we design their homes together.

Oh ya, and a new website & blog, lots of speaking engagements and education, a little strategy makeover consulting for some special clients and, well, a few things I just can't share (wink, wink).

So please continue to follow along with me as I share my journey with you: with candor, with the utmost gratitude for your loyalty and love, and with a "smidgen" of good humor!
Here's to a stellar 2013 for you all!