What I learned at the Yellow Conference in Los Angeles
I learned so much about myself at The Yellow Conference. I'd been following the Yellow mission online for a couple of years and wrote a few articles for their blog (here and here) so it was very exciting when I had the opportunity to attend! It was my first solo business trip. After a full day of work, I flew into LAX at 11 pm then drove to my Airbnb in Echo Park.
I got so turned around at first but found my little bungalow for the week after a midnight call to my host. Her husband greeted me with a local beer and shared he grew up in Rochester Hills, Michigan. I go all the way to California and the first person I meet is from Michigan. It was comforting after a long travel day.
I woke up to this view and immediately started singing Hotel California. I've done that every time I've visited so far, haha.
Favorite designers: Elle Luna and Jessica Hische
I got to hear from Elle Luna and Jessica Hische, my 2 favorite artists/designers. Elle talked about her book The Crossroads of Should and Must and Jessica talked about juggling motherhood with a freelance career. Both of them cried saying there was something about the powerful feminine support in the room that felt like an ocean of understanding and comfort to them. I was honored to be part of it.
I actually saw Jessica Hische by a taco truck during lunch and completely fan-girled but didn't say a word to her. What would I have said? "I've followed your work since I was a sophomore in design school and have wished to be you ever since?" No, I let her eat her taco in peace.
In between sessions, I went to lunch with an amazing group of women. I was proud of myself for resisting the comfortable feeling to eat alone and write in my journal and instead connect with women who I'd met an hour before. I was in the midst of women doing amazing things for our world and enjoyed my seat at the table.
Brave Girls in L.A.
I even left a little Brave Girl note for women like me who showed up to this conference with their questions and interest in learning more about how they can make the world a better place.
Personal milestone and clarity before big change
As I mentioned I went on this trip solo. It felt like a personal milestone 2 weeks before Joel & I would be married. Up to this point, life was moving so fast. I needed time to myself to seek clarity on the big change ahead. I found it at an old firehouse-turned-restaurant a few blocks away from my bungalow on the last night. A beer, mac and cheese, and some journal writing as I overheard locals gossip and make weekend plans was just what I needed.
There is totally a different vibe in L.A. A lot of pomp and circumstance. I felt like a nice little Midwestern girl so I enjoyed being surrounded by women who didn't care about that shit and got on with sharing how they felt. I took some of that home with me. I took home some foliage installation inspiration with me, as well!
Overall, it was an enlightening trip and helped me understand myself as a creative and how I want to be of service with my skillset to my community and my career. L.A. may not be my favorite place but I do hope to visit California again soon. San Francisco is definitely on my list.
Where are your favorite Cali places?!
