ProBlogger Event - Day Two

So day two and final day of the 2013 ProBlogger Event was a little bit more interesting for me.

Stand out highlight was "Video : Create, Edit, Publish On A Shoe String" by Hailey Bartholomew.

I've become a fan of Hailey's work recently so the opportunity to hear some of her tips was invaluable.

It was geared more towards iPhone and iPad filming and editing for the creative blogger. 

One guy I spoke to after said he didn't get as much value out of it as his blog was 

about finance and he wanted more professional straight forward information. 

I'm sure he could have got some tips from the session though.

But that just shows how varied the sessions were and that there was always something for everyone.

Hailey sharing some really simple tips - who needs a tripod, a table works just as well! (that's her iPhone jutting out on the edge of the table, sorry bit hard to see)

Well I loved it and wanted more but what I got is going to help me greatly.

Check out this gorgeous, gorgeous video that Hailey's daughter, Zali did all by herself! 

I kid you not.

There's still so much information to take in and notes to re-read from the two days.
 Fortunately I can go back to all the sessions, even those I couldn't attend at the online portal.

Amy Poerterfield and Trey Ratcliffe in the Sunset Lounge Q&A on "Growing Your Social Media Networks"

The above session was good, but I was annoyed I couldn't hear the questions (too many people for
those asking to reach the microphone) and majority of the conversation ended up being about
Google+  which in all honesty I struggle to embrace - strange for a blogger I know!

Darren thanking his team and speakers in the Closing Notes

Got to love a Russell Brand quote!

Oh and my random photo of the day ...

I'm not a real footy fan nor a Brisbane Lions fan but I thought this guy
(Johnathan Brown Co-Captain of the Brisbane Lions)
was quite funny in his AFL Film Festival film so I got a pic ...

So my overall ProBlogger experience was good. It wasn't as mind blowing as I perhaps anticipated.
But I know it was for many others and they gained a lot, which is fantastic.

Lots of good information was on offer over the two days and if you were new to blogging,
I'm sure you would have gained a bunch of new information.
I thought some of the speakers might have been a bit more experienced but it was
good to hear from some bloggers who are successful in their own right but not
perhaps the calibre that I wanted to hear from (oooh is that harsh? I so don't mean it to be).

The event was really well organised and fun, the team did a great job. Everything ran really smoothly
and on time which was good. And the location was great of course.

Will I go again. Sure, why not! But it will depend on the speakers for sure.
Oh and next year, I'm not going alone - it's just easier and a bit more fun when you go with someone.
But lucky for me this year I met some new friends which I probably wouldn't have had I not been solo!

All in all I give the ProBlogger Event a thumbs up!

Well done on putting together an great event.


#PBEVENT

all images myfirstlittleplace

ProBlogger Event 2013 - Day One

So I've done it, I went, heard, saw an conquered! 

Not really but you know what I mean. 

So I guess the first thing I want to talk about this two day event is me! 

Not trying to be selfish here but I spoke on Thursday about my ... 

hesitation in going as I was going solo. Well, you know what I survived!! Surprise.

In Darren's (Darren Rowse - the man behind the event and ProBlogger pictured below) 

opening keynotes he talked about fear, more about the fear of blogging but nonetheless
 it resonated with me and I'm sure a number of people in the room (all 400 of us)
 about attending such an event as a solo or you know what - even the fear in life itself!

The room was filled with some very enthusiastic bloggers! Such passion was felt. 

I love watching people who are just so passionate about what they do, it's great. 

One girl sitting in front of me did not get off her iPhone for the whole first session (that's one hour 

and 10 minutes) she would flick constantly back and forth with like a nervous energy 

between Facebook, twitter and instagram.This is when I realised these people mean business! 

Held at the beautiful QT hotel (remember I wrote about it here when it first opened) the 

two day event was full of sessions with varied topics covering blogging, marketing, SEO, 

ebooks, social media, selling stuff  - you name it, it was here.

Every hour there were three different sessions and topics so the challenge was which one to attend. 

But there was comfort in knowing they were all being recorded for the virtual portal 

so you don't miss a thing.

My favourite session for the day was the "Facebook Marketing Success" by Amy Porterfield. 

Amy is a social media strategist who used to work for Tony Robbins so her presentation 

skills were great, I could have listened to her all day.

Amy spoke about how to maximise the use of Facebook whether it be for your 

blog or your business and taught us a few tricks will come in very handy I'm sure. 

Another highlight was the session "The Step Changers" by three Australian bloggers 

Christina Butcher (Hair Romance), Caz Makepeace (Y Travel Blog) and Andrea Zanetich 

(Fox In Flats).  They shared some really good info on different steps and opportunities they 

have taken over the years that changed the way they blog and essentially changed their life. 

It was really interesting but I particularly liked Caz.You need to check out her blogs Mojito Mother and 

Y Travel Blog. I really liked what she had to say and inspired me to come home and read her blogs. 

Safe to say I am now a new avid reader. 

L-R : Andrea, Caz and Christina

So my verdict on day one ... well in all complete honesty for me, I didn't find it hugely informative. 

I got great information from Amy and inspiration from Caz but really that's about it! 

But that's ok, sometimes it's good to go to these things and validate what you do already know. 

And also what you know but haven't put into practice! 

I also captured this cute pic of this super gorgeous little car sitting out the front of the QT Hotel.

Had to share ...

I want it!

So much more to share, check in again tomorrow for my round up of day two.

(sorry the images are a bit dodge, it's as good as the old iPhone could give!)

#PBEVENT

all images via myfirstlittleplace

A little blog neglect ...

Not so much on My First Little Place but reading and exploring other blogs. I have really missed having that time to just catch up and connect. Between my day job, running my own business, moving and adjusting to life back here again and maintaining this blog ... I really haven't much spare time ... but things must change!!

So I wanted to share a few bits and bobs around the blog world that have caught my eye ...

♥ Lovely Vic and Cush and Nooks captured my attention with this blog post - Surfers Paradise
♥ Joanne introduced Toby to new baby Anton over at Cup of Jo, this is way too precious
♥ Anna added another great installment of her series Make Your Mark
♥ Refinery29 did some exploring with Lou Doillon
♥ Nicole of Gary Pepper is still prancing around Paris and looking fabulous whilst doing it!

image via Gary Pepper Vintage Girl

Happy reading xx

Thank You - Elements At Home

There are two things I love so much about this blogosphere that we engage ourselves in day in and day out and that is the people you meet and the support you receive from those around you.

It really can become very humbling and rewarding.

The gorgeous Kristie over at Elements At Home has done a beautiful post today for

Our Little Place on her very stylish blog.

Thanks Kristie your support and kind words about this exciting adventure in my life,
it really means a lot.

Please be sure to pop on over and check out the write up and to have a look around at Kristie's great blog, Elements At Home.


xox

Blog Crushes

I have been a been really enjoying these 2 blogs of late. 

Whilst they are quite similar in many respects they are also both individual. 

The first one is  

Nat The Fat Rat

 

I first came across Nat by this image of her at the ALT Summit 

which has been shared all over blogs and Pinterest (super stylish)

Very well written, Nat takes us on her journey of her life and work in New York

with her husband Brandon and their simply gorgeous little boy Henry, also known as Huck.

She captures her life in beautiful images and at times posts really cute little video's of Huck.

 

 

The next one is  

Rockstar Diaries

 written by Taza.

Having just relocated from Washington, DC back to New York with her husband Josh, two adorable children Eleanor and Samson and their English Bulldog, Kingsley we are given insight to a young family life through images of family, food, fashion, interiors, shoppping, streets ... 

Do you find over the years that you become attracted to different styles of blogs? 

Can certain blogs you like to read (consistently) tell you something about your own life? 

I'm kind of thinking that with these two beautiful blogs.

I thank both ladies for sharing their lives with us.

all images via natthefatrat and rockstardiaries

A Travel Must Read

I have been reading this great series since it started on the the blog

 This Is Glamorous ~  Take Me Away.

Hong Kong

It is a beautiful series that describes in great detail places around the world including 

what to see, where to stay, what to eat and essentials to pack all accompanied by beautiful images.

Bora Bora

Gelato in Italy

Barcelona, Spain

Paris, France

Paris, France

Venice, Italy

Maybe it's because of this I decided to go ahead and continue my travels. 

The story on Mykonos has definitely increased my excitement (if that were possible)

Mykonos, Greece

Some of my other favourite posts {although hard to decide} are :

Take Me Away No 22 ~ what to pack for paris

Take Me Away No 21 ~ city guides no 1 : paris

Take Me Away No 26 ~ the cherry blossoms of tokyo, japan

If you are planning or even just dreaming of some travels, you could and 

should spend hours reading this series.

But be aware ... severe addiction may occur!

Enjoy 

xox

all images via This Is Glamorous

It's a Boy ...

CONGRATULATIONS 

to our beautiful blogger friend Anna at Lona de Anna.

Baby boy, Noah has arrived.

How adorable is he?

See her beautiful "A Llittle Note to Noah" here

Congratulations to Anna, Mr White and big brother Jacq

xox

Blog Shout Outs

I love my followers, don't we all.
So honoured and humbled that people read and respond to my everyday ramblings
- I can't thank you all enough.

But one of the things I like most about blogging and readers is connecting with like minded people. 

And many of these like minded people have amazing blogs. 

I would love to list them all (and you can check them out by my followers link) 

but these are some of my new followers who's blogs I want to share with you today. 

Hopefully they will also provide you with much inspiration ...

 

Peaches and Candy

Peaches and Candy is a blog from Sydney with really good content of interesting posts
along with gorgeous pics!

 

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Pawley's Island Posh

A photographer wanting to branch off into Interior Styling, Julia writes the blog Pawley's Island Posh which includes some great DIY projects she has tackled, some great interior shots and a hint of fashion thrown in there too.

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Lamb and Blonde

The owner of this lovely  blog is Kim Grey an American living in Adelaide
(my hometown if you didn't know!).

Lamb and Blonde is full of beautiful images that will provides endless inspiration.

I'll be going through more of my followers and people who leave comments and
will introduce you to some of them in the coming weeks.


Thanks again to everyone reading My First Little Place xox




* Please note none of these bloggers have approached me to ask to be profiled. 
I don't endorse anything or anyone unless I clearly declare it. 
I do it because I genuinely like what they have to offer.

A Blog to Love

What Men Should Smell Like...

Mmm, that makes you think doesn't it!

I have to share this amazing blog with you. It's not about interiors or fashion. But it is super stylish and very unique - all the things we love, right?

Plus it is by a gorgeous friend of mine.

  

There are a few different elements to this site :

> Collection Privee - fragrance reviews of the authors own fragrance collection

> Creation - the art of perfumery

> A Scented Blog - thoughts, comments, opinions and new releases

The handsome man behind the blog *wink*

Please visit and enjoy this exploration of the senses...

xox

images via whatmenshouldsmelllike

Blog shout out

I just wanted to share with you some really lovely blogs I've come across recently. 

I get so excited to "meet" new bloggers and be inspired by their blogs.

ledamae

little yellow apple

design bee

decor is like butter

 nouveau traditionalis

Thank you also to Romana of Nouveau Traditionalis for another Stylish Blogger award, I am humbled.

Nice to meet you ladies xx