What I Took Away from Blog Podium

It's almost a week since I was at blog podium and I am still brimming with inspiration and ideas! I was so happy I decided to attend my first blogging conference. The friendships made and the connections from the event will last a long time. Whoever says you cannot make solid, lasting connections on line is wrong! I was so happy to find out that the blog friends I only chatted with on line, were just as sweet and wonderful in person! Saturday was a day packed with information on how to grow your blog and business, the ins and outs of social media, how to create balance and so much more! Going to Sarah's Design Studio the day before allowed me the opportunity to meet bloggers before the event. So a bunch of us decided to have dinner Friday night and break the ice before blog podium...

Top row, left: Amy, Laura, Jill, Julie  Bottom row, left: Melissa, Emma and me

They were such a fun group of ladies! Definitely check out their blogs! Once I arrived at the event the next day, I knew I was in for a lot of pretty. Jennifer Flores and her team pulled out all the stops and made this a truly memorable event. Every last detail was so beautiful and well thought out. It was a very inspiring day!

(The following bunch of photos were taken by Anna With Love Photography)...

The amazing and talented Jennifer Flores

This was such a creative way to display our business cards! 

All of the decorations were done by the amazing Minted. I loved every single detail!

Lunch was delicious! I love the gold glittery accent at the bottom of the menu!

Sarah Richardson was the keynote speaker and delivered a wonderful speech that was inspiring and fun to listen to!

The sponsors had beautifully decorated vignettes. I could move right in!

Hearing Stephanie Sterjovski speak on Blog to Business was great! Just reading the quote on the screen alone, was inspiring.

Photos from the amazing and talented Anna With Love

I even won a table saw with stand, which then got traded to a saw, which then got traded to a mirror! Quite an adventure. We knew the mirror would fit in the trunk on the way home and clear customs without a problem!  :) Looking forward to showing you the mirror in our home. Thanks, Home Depot!

And of course, I met amazing people and had a blast with them!

Christine was so wonderful and sweet! A big congrats to her and her sweet little one for their nursery feature in Style at Home magazine!!

Brittany was amazing to meet and is such a talent!

Photobooth images by Snapshot Photo Booth

Friends in the photo booth I didn't already mentioned and loved meeting include: Annika, Lindsey, Allison, Thalita and Tiffany. I didn't get a chance to take pictures with so many other amazing bloggers, like Elyse, Lynsey, Kathleen, Christine, Victoria and Alexandra but soo loved meeting them, too! To wrap up this very long post, I just want to mention that if you're ever thinking of attending a blog conference, go for it! You will be so inspired, meet so many creative, fun people and walk away feeling ready to take your blog and business further! I was so nervous going, but more than happy that I went for it.  :)

When the Blog Comes Before the Business

I have been thinking about this topic for some time! When I started my blog back in 2011, it was with the intent to nurture my love for design and possibly open my own on line decor shop. I thought it would be fun to start a blog and 'chat' with so many like minded individuals who could talk about pillow fabrics and wall colors to abandon. I went back and forth on what to name my blog. Some of the earlier names I had pondered were: The Painted Chair, The Chic Farmhouse, Posh Dwellings, Blend to name a few. Hey, Blend would have actually been pretty cool. But, I digress... I decided on Simple Dwellings and that was that. I have been very happy with that name, but as I decided to shift from an on line store to on line decorating services, the blog name got in the way. For the first year, my design business was called Simple Dwellings Interiors, to match the name of my blog. As I started to grow my business, I wanted to name it after myself. I just liked the personal aspect of that. So I decided to go for it and name the business Amber B Interiors. I liked the ring to it and it feels more me, if that makes any sense. I would like to grow my business further and am thinking about a web site with my blog link off of the site. In doing that, my thoughts go to turning everything to Amber B Interiors, rebranding the busniess. I already have all of my social sites as this name already, so it's just the blog that is different. My blog friend Abby is going through this same process, and I could totally relate to her recent post here on the topic. I will make sure to update you on this journey, but right now, it's more of an idea for the future. I'm probably focusing on this and worrying much more than I need to, but it's been on my mind. And maybe you have gone through similar business changes that you would like to share! 

I will leave you with a recent dining room e-design that I completed for a client. She was looking for a rustic farmhouse style.

{click on image to make larger}

She is very happy with the design. We are going to make minor adjustments to the gallery wall, but keep the overall look and feel the same. We are on to her living room, next!

Have a happy weekend and see you back here on Monday!



My Blog is 2!

The week has flown by and I almost forgot my blog birthday! This little 'ol blog turned two on the 8th. I have loved every minute of the experience and connecting with all of you! Thank you for stopping by... whether you make Simple Dwellings a daily read, stop by for a quick chat every now and then or are a first time visitor... I thank you!! Dreams have come true, as I started Amber B Interiors through this blog and all of the amazing experiences along the way. Thanks to my clients for trusting me with their homes and allowing me to show you my design vision. Without having this post sound too much like an acceptance speech for the Oscars,  :) I will leave you with this pretty celebration image...

Source: thesweetestoccasion.com via Nikita on Pinterest

Have a Great Day!!

Writer's Block

I am sure that if you have been blogging for a while, you come across times when you stare at the screen and wonder what to write. Well, at least I hope you do, and I'm not the only one! :) I get to the computer, hoping to write something compelling and worth commenting about, and then- I draw a blank. Or either, I have a great idea, without the time to execute a well written post. Ever happened to you?? I don't want to write something that is just thrown together, because you are all savvy readers and know when I am just faking the funk. So, I thought some time spent away to gather my thoughts would be a good idea. I am busy in a good way, gathering inspiration for clients and just busy with day to day life, as we all are. If I am not here as often, don't think it's because I don't want to be! I truly love blogging and it will always be something I am a part of. Now with that out of the way, let's get to some beautiful inspiration images that show glimpses into ideas I have been working on!

Showstopping Wallpaper and Shelf Styling:

Source: littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com via Erin on Pinterest

Creamy White Walls and Beautiful Gallery Walls

Source: blog.foundstyle.net via Amber on Pinterest

Adding Coastal Charm

Source: gildandgrace.blogspot.com via Amber on Pinterest

Mantel Styling

Source: everythingjustpurelovely.tumblr.com via Amber on Pinterest

I would love to hear your thoughts on writer's block and blogging breaks!