Travel Adventures: LA + Ventura

Good morning! I hope you had a happy Easter yesterday! I’m back at it this morning, sharing some photos from a recent trip, but I hope you’re having a relaxing start to your week…

A couple of weeks ago, I flew into LAX and headed down to Ventura with Kelly and Kelly (Studio DIY and Design Crush) to speak at Craftcation. It was such a nice day for a drive AND I got to sit next to buckets of fresh flowers because that’s how I roll, apparently. Actually, I taught a flower workshop at Craftcation and Kelly was SO amazing to pick up all the flowers I needed from the LA flower market before picking me up from the airport. Is she the best or what? I can’t even begin to tell you what a huge help that was!

Once we got to the hotel and settled into our rooms we had a work powwow, which may or may have included pizza and a whole lots of giggles.

The next day, I taught a crash course styling workshop and a flower workshop. Emily, the photographer behind Anna Delores, taught the photography portion of the crash course and I set up some mock styled vignettes for students to photograph and play around with afterward. Like this Easter-inspired one, below, featuring a DIY letter shaped box that Kelly made…

photo by Anna Delores

Immediately after the styling workshop, I taught a flower workshop, which was probably my favorite part of the trip. I had 30+ students in the workshop and every single one of them created something completely unique from the next. It was great.

We made fresh flower rings, like these, and hair accessories – with ranunculus, peonies, roses, thistle, and more.

first three flower photos by Matthew William Photography

That night, we went to the opening party and Lisa Congdon was the keynote. Loved her talk.

The next day, pretty much flew by – I spoke on two panels with friends (which is the best), had an awesome picnic lunch, and went to a crazy Mexican restaurant for dinner (complete with bras hanging from the chandeliers and a very drunk girl wielding a trophy). It was great!

photo by Matthew William Photography

The next morning, we drove back to LA. Brittany, Kelly, and I squeezed in a little shopping (Heath Ceramics + Garde) before attending the Oh Joy + Land of Nod product launch.

The launch was held at The Fig House, which is absolutely gorgeous. And Joy’s new line with Nod is so cute. If I had a kid, I would be all over it.

All and all, it was a short trip BUT packed with fun + friends. Couldn’t have asked for anything more.

And I’m hoping to get back on the travel wagon again soon, only this time it will not be a work trip. Yay for a real vacation, in the not so distant future.