so where did the jet plane take me?! Creative Estates, baby!!!!!

have you ever freaked out over something major? maybe not to anyone else around you - but to you, it was major?! well, i think you picked up the vibe (especially from the past few weeks and past tweets) that i was freaking out over my kind of major. some might understand, some might not have. either way, i freaked out - and now i'm laughing at myself. 

i'm laughing because an experience that made nights longer, fingers tired, eyes cry, and my tummy full of too many peanut butter oreos is definitely being filed under one of the most creative, challenging, and refreshing weekends ever! i cannot get over the amazing people that i met, the speakers that encouraged me, and the creativity that exploded all over that neighborhood!

 the journey kicked off from Atlanta, Georgia. i traveled with Lori and we both could hardly contain our excitement - especially once we spotted the desserts (so much dirt!!) of Phoenix. i was probably dying to get off of that plane once we hit the one hour mark. even Angry Birds and Adele was not doing it for me. i inhaled those sweettarts, mind you. and yes, the kool-aid man kept me and Lori company all the way to AZ.

one of my favorite moments of the trip that was not captured by camera was the first time i met my long-time blog friends. there is something about meeting people you've been in touch with by email, commenting on blogs or tweeting with for however long, you have a special bond with them.

so i certainly have my disorganized, absent moments often, and one of those moments includes forgetting a notebook to write down notes from the sessions. thank the Lord for loose graph-paper from my booth display and for Lindsay's generous contribution. i was about to jot down tons of mad-creative goodness. i'm honestly still processing but in a good way.

and oh my goodness, i think we all fell over and died over Becky of Whippy Cakes' incredible shoes. talk about adorbs! 

and what about that booth i have freaking out over for the past few months? i am so thankful for the awesome experience that it turned out to be. i felt stretched in ways that i haven't before but bringing me to a place that this is where i want to be - and i love every second of it! i loved meeting new people and even those that were past Much Love, illy customers totally made my day! i also got to hang out with my dear (ahem, crazy) friend, Kim - love her! (and oh my goodness isn't her shop uh-mazing?!)

this is probably one of my favorite pictures from the conference. first off, i'm a fan of GOOFY, SILLY, CRAZY face-pictures. i just think they are more fun that way. this also includes some of my long-time blog friends (who are now REAL-life friends) as well as some new friends that i made while i was there! 

so that's it...for now. 

warning: i got LOTS MORE to come!

hope that's okay. 

*wink*

i think just about anyone there with a camera took a ton of pictures. and yes, me being one of them. so be on the look-out. got lots more to share. can't wait. 

oh and pssssst! Creative Estates is in Salt Lake City, UT next year. for those of you that wished you went this year, totally think about planning for next year. you won't wanna miss it! like my friends and i agreed (especially as we all swapped business cards), it's like camp! time goes by way too fast, and you're not yet ready to leave.

much love.

[happy tuesday, friend.]

p.s. don't forget to enter the Whimsical Popysmic giveaway on the bloggity-blog!