Blogpodium in Vancouver

I was super excited that Blogpodium was in Vancouver!

Blogpodium in Vancouver leaflet with schedules sitting on a table.

Each year I go to the Haven conference in Atlanta, and it’s awesome! But it’s in Atlanta. I live in Vancouver.

Blogpodium is in Toronto but always just a few months after Haven so it’s hard for me to make the trek there too.

But this year….Blogpodium was in Vancouver!!

I was soooo excited!

This conference is put on by a blogger, Jennifer Flores from Rambling Renovators.

Seriously, like she isn’t busy enough with her blog. She throws her own conferences!

Table with white flowers in clear vase and books on it.

Great Brands

There were amazing sponsors there like:

Para Paints

Canadian Tire

Home Depot

Metrie

Delta Faucets

Bernardin

and lots of free swag.

Swag on table.

Great Talks

The keynote speaker this year was Jillian Harris! Love her and her show Love It or List It Vancouver.

She gave such a great down-to-earth talk about everything to do with blogging and tons of tips.

The thing that most inspired me about her is that she just does what she wants and just goes with it!

I’m always feeling like me or my blog isn’t good enough. I’m not an interior designer, I’m not a writer, I don’t have a degree. Jillian said she hasn’t kept a job for more than four years (until now). She’s always starting and stopping something. None of that means anything but trying to find your real place in the world. And I love that.

She’s a true inspiration and someone you could totally just go for coffee with.

Jillian Harris giving a speech at front of the room.

Then I took Tracey Ayton’s styling and photography class.

{If you’re an avid reader of my blog, you know how much I adore her!}

Tracey Ayton standing in front of a mixed media screen giving a speech.

Her photography skills are ah-mazing! I often dream of her following me around with her camera and taking photos of my DIY projects, maybe some lifestyle photos. My blog would be HUGE if that happened 😉

She came and shot my house when it was decorated for Christmas last year (complete with my Crock-mas tree) and we’re still crossing our fingers that it can be published! Just her doing the shoot was a dream come true for me.

Love you, Tracey! You’re such an inspiration to me!

Me and Tracey Ayton posing for a picture.

There was a fantastic talk called: The Power of Visual Branding by Gloria Chik of Urbane Bloc and Tania Yan of Olive and Piper.

And it really got me thinking about where I wanted to take my blog, what specific branding I wanted to do with my blog, maybe more aspects of myself that I need to open up about.

The other thing this conference really emphasized was risk taking.

The talk given from the Poppy Barley girls was inspiring. They literally just had an idea and went from there the next day.

That’s it, one idea.

I never, ever, EVER think of myself as a risk taker. Like ever.

I’m always the practical, organized one.

But actually I really am a risk taker. Starting a blog is a risk.

Putting blood, sweat and tears in this little thing called So Much Better With Age is a risk.

This year I haven’t been able to put more of myself into it because of big personal things going on but next year I truly plan to make it more of my own, to take it more seriously and as Alexandra Grant of To Vogue or Bust said, just GO PRO!

Girl with pony tail standing in white kitchen drinking from a coffee cup.

So what did I take away from Blogpodium? Clearly a lot.

For me it was a more introspective conference and very inspiring.

Now I’m off to make big plans with this little thing called my blog.

What has inspired you lately?

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12 Comments

  1. Great post girl! I know this sounds weird but my boxer inspires me! He is so crazy and loving all at the same time! God has really blessed us with him!

  2. Oh my goodness! You are so sweet for mentioning me on your blog! Thank you so much for the shout out, and supporting me! You truly are one talented lady and I am so honoured to call you a friend. So glad I reached out to you that day!

  3. What a great post Jamie. So nice to read more about the personal side of you and what inspires, because its inspiring to me!

    Thank you!

  4. I agree – introspective. Making you think about your purpose in what your doing. Something I really haven’t figured out yet. It’s hard to take that thinking time with so many life distractions and when the to do list is a mile long. Can’t wait to see where you go with it Jamie!

  5. I’m so, so happy the conference was in Vancouver…I can only imagine how long and expensive a flight would be from Vancouver to Atlanta! And you were able to meet a few idols—fantastic!

    I feel much the same you do…I lean more towards the writing and photography aspect of lifestyle blogging. I’ve managed to get a few great writing assignments and some magazine ‘blurbs”! It’s a long road to reach our dreams but we have to keep moving!

    I’m in Chicago but I wanted to mention that my husband is receiving an award in Vancouver in February. I’d love to meet up! Let me know! 🙂

    Jane x

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