Alt NYC Wrap-up & Other Interesting Sights

31 Aug Alt NYC Wrap-up & Other Interesting Sights

Alt NYC was such an incredible experience for me – I’ve thought about it all week.  It was so great to meet bloggers from all genres – food, fashion, photography, even love!

More than anything, I loved learning about how to make this blog better – for you, the reader.  I am already receiving pictures of what you have done with some of the projects featured so far on the blog, and it makes me sooo happy!  Keep ’em coming – I hope to do some posts in the future featuring your work!

I did learn a new word, and though when you say it, it sounds like “Create Entrepreneurs”, I like how it looks together.  Createntrepreneurs.  That’s what I am.  I think.

The food alone was amazing.  You can imagine if you are IN the Martha Stewart headquarters!

Breakfast

Photo by Justin Hackworth

The salmon-dill spread pictured below was one of the best things I put into my mouth!  It tasted so good to me – I was trying to figure it out as I have had this type of spread before.  I think it may have been so tasty because the salmon was in chopped pieces, rather than diced.

Photo by Justin Hackworth

Lunch

Photo by Justin Hackworth

Photo by Justin Hackworth

A few of you have asked what I wore, and I found a few pictures on Alt Summit’s Flickr Photostream.

Here I am at Sunday Suppers.  I have a bit of a weird look on my face, but the outfit is cute.  Wide leg pants are kind of a Grace signature.  I am tall so they work on me.  These navy flowy ones are from Anthropologie.  The white tee is from Banana Republic, the long yellow necklace is vintage, and the other shorter necklace is from Express, a lllloooonnnngggg time ago.  Shoes are Miss Albright’s.

Photo by Justin Hackworth

Photo by Justin Hackworth

I wish I had taken a good picture of me in my cute Thursday outfit, but this one was the best I could find.  We were supposed to wear something with color, and after many outfit changes, I arrived at this.  Dress from Anthropologie, leopard leggings from a little boutique where I live, and shoes also from Anthropologie.  (I know, I love Anthropologie!)  The pretty green necklaces are vintage.

Photo by Justin Hackworth

During the awesome panels and speakers, I felt like my pen was literally smoking!  There was a plethora of helpful information.  Getting to hear these three speak was a real treat.

from left to right: Gabrielle (one of the founders of Alt), Pilar Guzman (former editor of Cookie Magazine – the BEST Mommy mag ever, RIP – she is now the Editor in Chief of Martha Stewart Living), Lucinda Quinn (Mad Hungry, Executive Food Director, Martha Stewart), Kevin Sharkey (Senior Vice President and Executive Editorial Director of Martha Stewart Living, referred to as “Mr. Martha”)

Photo by Justin Hackworth

from left to right: Katie Armour (Matchbook Magazine), Jenny Komenda (Little Green Notebook – blog), Natalie Holbrook (Nat the Fat Rat – blog)

Photo by Justin Hackworth

Jenny writes my favorite blog, Little Green Notebook.  I have read it every morning for years, and it was such a pleasure to finally meet her.

Of course, then there was this gal.  My favorite quote from her, “Simplicity is the highest form of sophistication.”

Photo by Justin Hackworth

I was sad when the conference was over – can’t wait for the main Alt event of the year – Alt Salt Lake City – in January!

But I did have some time left over for some long walks around Chelsea, flea marketing, and shopping.  My two younger brothers live in New York, so that was a major plus of the trip!  I laughed when I looked at my pictures because none of them are typical “trip to New York” pictures.  No Times Square, no Statue of Liberty, just stuff like this.

I thought the way the owner used boxwood for their little window box was so organic and appealing.  He actually saw me taking pictures, and I think it pleased him.  He told me all about how he changes the box up in different seasons.

This donut place was packed, and some people kindly moved for me so I could take this picture.  Isn’t that wall of donut pillows too clever?  Love to see that kind of creativity!  They were mostly made of felt.

Sign outside the door.

It is my secret dream to find an old abandoned church and make it into a home.  I love to see these types of spaces revamped.  There is a cute little restaurant here in Fort Worth that recently inhabited an old church – super neat.  So when I saw this beautiful old church turned store (called Limelight Marketplace), I peeped in to take some pictures.

Loved this entrance.  Stunning.

As Katy Perry was blasting over the speakers, I read this plaque outside the door, and wondered, “What would Thomas Sears and his wife think of this?”

One last tidbit.  I stayed part-time with one brother, and part-time with the youngest brother while I was in NYC.  One brother is married, with a sweet wife, and precious little boy, and one is a bachelor, living in a bachelor pad.  When I stayed the night with my bachelor brother, he had purchased shampoo and conditioner he thought I would like, plus bodywash.  He also made us reservations two weeks in advance for a trip to ABC Home and ABC Kitchen.  This is what he served me for breakfast and how he served it.

Calling all the single ladies.