CREATE&CULTIVATE: OVERVIEW

Create&Cultivate was an incredible conference with extremely talented and creative women who were humble and engaging. Everyone was very open and friendly and shared stories about their struggles and successes. The theme seemed to be about vulnerability and giving back. From the perfumer who had been a high powered executive and now worked with indigenous people ideveloping countries, helping them become entrepreneurs not victims, to the girl who had been born into Hollywood royalty but made it her life mission to help others with the giving keys project, not only giving the proceeds to charity but employing people off the streets to make them single-handed. I was incredibly inspired to share in the stories and in the empowering day. Alexis started off the day with an incredible speech about having it all and realizing it's nothing, an incredibly beautiful role model for giving back. I met a mother and daughter who came from Atlanta as Darling pilgrims. The day was full of such a sense of community and openness in a city not known for such values. It proved people are not who they seemto be and what they have might not be what they are happy with. Most importantly, it reawakened in me the drive to stay creative and find my passion again.

When I signed up for the workshop, Create and Cultivate promised I would, "meet other amazing women all while getting my hands dirty learning from some of the best in the business." They ensured I would walk away with something tangible from each workshop whether it's an amazing lesson or beautiful potted plant. The conference is inherently anti-networking: it's all about getting your hands a little dirty, finding inspiration, drinking some damn good cocktails, eating some food and cultivating new friendships in an amazing (and beautiful environment!)."

I couldn't say no to that promise, and without too much thinking clicked on PURCHASE ticket and signed up.

The Create&Cultivate conference was organized by Darling Magazine and NoSubjectLa

CREATE AND CULTIVATE: (RE)IGNITING PASSION

Wow. It has been quite the hiatus from BigBright&Bold. I've been running around, having visitors, flying up to SF for my brother's wedding, and enjoying the Westside weekends. Then, I woke up and realized months had passed.Truthfully, I lost some of the passion. I stopped taking pictures. Slowly and surly, I thought I had no exciting content left.

I'm writing this today as I just came back from a fabulous conference called Create&Cultivate. I realized that every single woman I met was doing three things at once, all before breakfast. Maybe not all, but literally everyone I met and shared stories with was juggling so many opportunities and had such a passion for creativity, that I was left wondering "what happened to mine?"

I don't know how, but I aim to keep trying. At least I took some photos, posted to Instagram, and realized how fun it is to share inspiration with new friends. Maybe I'll focus more on creating new artwork and sharing that. Maybe I'll post once a week with something I love and discover. I don't want to quit cold turkey, and my perfectionist nature always prevents me from half-assing something. but, I do think that being vulnerable and creative are essential to leading a happy life. (The main take aways from the conference.) Let's see what comes next! 

BOLD BLOCK PRINTING

Discovered Gray Market's beautiful block printed textiles when visiting Oakland's Temescal Craft Fair last weekend.

Graymarket features home accessories created in their berkeley studio and brought to life through collaborations with artisan groups around the world. Graymarket Design was created when a love of color, patterns and classic design met an endless fascination with different textile techniques from around the world.

GRAY MARKET: BLOCK PRINTED

INDIAN SPRINGS

Wow, it's already Wednesday! This week has totally gotten away from me. I enjoyed the long weekend up in San Francisco, going up to Calistoga for some much needed rest and relaxation. Indian Springs is my favorite place to go and float in 90 degree hot springs, take naps under shaded umbrellas, and generally do nothing except eat and bask in the sun!