Posted by Monica Danna on Feb 9, 2010 in
conferences,
design,
technology,
travel 
image: kenziepoo.com
Ok, yes it’s been almost three weeks since the Altitude Design Summit. And it’s taken me that long to get over the fact that I’m the worst skier in America. Maybe even North America.
Way overdue is a wrap-up post on the wonderfulness (that’s absolutely a word) that was the first annual Altitude Design Summit. There are many, many, many, many, many more timely, great wrap-up posts. Instead of recreating those, I decided to pick my top 10 best memories from ALT. The things (and people) that 3 weeks later, I’m still thinking about.
I was completely honored to be a part of this amazing gathering of creativity, technology, and community. I know where I’ll be in Jan of 2011 (not on the slopes).
Read more…
Tags: alt summit, altitude summit, design, salt lake city, travel
Posted by Monica Danna on Jan 21, 2010 in
Politics,
arts + events,
social media issues,
travel 
Politics. Design. Social Media.
That’s pretty much how my day has gone so far.
(That, and me trying not to freak out when meeting design idols like Joslyn of Simple Lovely. And she is just that, simply lovely.)
In other news, I may never leave this place.
I was invited by the organizers of ALT to take part in a pre-conference workshop called Politicopia, led by Utah Senator Steve Urquhart. Myself, Laura Mayes, Colin Delany, David All and Ric Cantrell spoke to local Utah politicians and campaign teams about new media tactics and trends. The experience was amazing, and I learned a ton from my fellow panelists, all brilliant political new media strategists. It’s exciting and inspiring to see how other states’ legislatures are utilizing these new media tools.
After the workshop I wondering into the lobby of the Grand America Hotel where the conference is taking place this weekend, to meet up with some speakers and attendees of ALT. Holy hell. This hotel. Is incredible. Think, Versailles meets holy freaking radness. There’s a parlor. IN OUR ROOM. Straight up roylaty, y’all. Here’s a pic from our balcony. Oh, there’s two balconies. Natch.
Tonight there’s a speed networking event and a “Hollywood Glam” mixer. Thankfully, between Laura and I, we packed enough for a small Paris Hilton army.
More later. And yes, I’ve been singing Band of Horses all day.
Happy New Year! Ten days late. Appropriately on the 10th day of the 10th year in the century, the millenium, even. As Laura Mayes pointed out earlier today on Twitter, “Ah, today. The 01.10.10. Still so in love with this year’s pretty dates.” And that’s exactly how I feel in this first year of the new decade. That things are in order. And pretty.
2009 was a year filled with ups and downs, and disorder, and rebuilding, and many wonderful lessons. As I’m sure there will be all of that in 2010, as well, I begin the year with a feeling of calm, confidence, and optimism. I’m constantly blessed with being surrounded by amazing people and projects that give me dream opportunities, and I’m super excited to share a few of the things I’ll be doing in 2010. Still pinching myself on some of these.
Alt Summit – I’m presenting! (in unrelated news…I’m dying…of excitement)
Pretty much a design junkie’s dream conference. Set in the beautiful town of Salt Lake City, UT smack dab in the middle of the Sundance Film Festival. Oh, and did I mention all of my design idols are speaking? I didn’t? Well, THAT is the best part. (Unless, I track down Justin Timberlake at Sundance. In that case THAT will be the best part.)
Um, Apartment Therapy? Hell yes. Design Milk? oh yeah, they’ll be there. NOTCOT< check! Design Crush, {frolic!} and Design*Sponge. Yep. I know, right? Breathe. Oh yeah, and that guy who created the Mastercard “Priceless” campaign. I can’t think of a better word to describe this experience. Oh, joy! (yeah, she’ll be there, too.)
I’m HELLA honored (I know, hella is classy) to have been invited by Kirtsy to present a pre-conference social media workshop with Laura Mayes. After I realized I wasn’t dreaming, panic set in that I’d instantly turn into a babbling idiot when faced with the purveyors of lovely that grace my Google Reader daily. Let’s hope I can at least keep up with them on the slopes. Did I mention the Sundance party we’re going to? I didn’t? Back to pinching myself.
Running away with the Sun
During a packed performance last night at Houston’s Continental Club, Texas blues rock favorites, Runaway Sun, made a major announcement. They have recently been selected to play in New York City as part of the Best Buy Live at Best Buy Music series on March 26th. Following an amazing year that included the release of their first full-length LP, and being nominated for a Houston Press award for Best Blues Band, the Texas foursome is preparing for a Southeastern U.S. tour this Spring.
Lead vocalist and guitarist Andrew Karnavas is wrapping up recording a solo album at Sugar Hill Studios, before he embarks on a few solo shows on the way to the NYC performance. And I’m going with him! ROADTRIP! We plan to drive through Nashville, Charlotte and D.C. on the way to New York. If you’ve got peeps in those areas, let them know we’re headed that way!
WordCamp comes to the HTX
If there’s one thing I’m more passionate about than design and music, (or Justin Timberlake), it’s technology. And if blogging is my sickness, then WordPress is my drug of choice. Created by Houstonian Matt Mullenweg, WordPress is an open-source blog publishing platform that beautifully organizes all the posts, comments, and sidebar content that you see on this blog, and thousands of others. I’m a huge WordPress groupie, as are most who use the software. It’s hard to not fall in love with beautiful code. Especially when you don’t have to look at it.
We’ve just confirmed that my company, co.lab, my sister design company, Primer Grey, along with fellow WordPress enthusiasts will be hosting Houston’s first WordCamp later this year. PG and I are passionate about technology education and are friggin’ excited (official emotion) to host this incredible user group. We’re working on details and will share as soon as we lock down a date and location. Visit http://wordcamphouston.com or follow @wordcamphtx on twitter for breakin’ news. Yes, breakin’! We’re from Texas, y’all!
FTW, 2010. Bring. It.
Tags: alt summit, runaway sun, wordcamp, wordpress
Posted by Monica Danna on Dec 11, 2009 in
travel If you’re just joining us for the nyc recaps, mayonnaise! mustard! CATCH-UP! nyc: {day.01} here, nyc: {day.02} here, nyc: {day.03} here, nyc: {day.04} here
It’s almost as sad writing the final wrap-up, as it was leaving New York on Sunday morning. Well, there’s always next year. Or, next weekend?
Pastis, Meatpacking District
We arose Sunday morning a little sluggish, as we had just spent four days acting as if the world was ending. I was sad to be leaving this land of fun and good times, but was excited to return home to my love, Houston. No matter how much fun you have on vacation, your own bed is a welcomed sight. We had late flights out that afternoon, so we arranged a car and set out to squeeze a few more ounces of Manhattan madness into our trip.
Phillip had recommended the Jane Hotel to us, but also with it, a stipulation. Doesn’t count if you don’t stop by Pastis {9 Ninth Ave.}. The famous French cafe located in the Meatpacking district was a mere blocks from the Jane. We had tried a few times for a table during the trip, but never had enough time to wait around to be seated. But this day we wandered over to find a large crowd waiting to be seated, gave our names, and spent the hour and a half wait browsing at Chelsea Market. Read more…
Tags: new york city, nyc
Posted by Monica Danna on Dec 10, 2009 in
travel If you’re just joining us for the nyc recaps, mayonnaise! mustard! CATCH-UP! nyc: {day.01} here, nyc: {day.02} here, nyc: {day.03} here
snow in soho
By the start of day 4, we were being bombarded by emails and texts from back home about how we were missing the snow. Not to our surprise, we wouldn’t be missing it for long.
We slept in Saturday morning, and headed to Soho for some shopping. Of course, hit up BOTH H&M’s, BOTH on Broadway, and other boutiques along Lafayette, Wooster and Broome: Amarcord {252 Lafayette Street}, Betsey Johnson SoHo {138 Wooster}, and of course did my best Anthony Marentino “Chanello!” into Chanel {130 Spring}. Poor Maggie, had to endure all of my Sex and the City reenactments all week. 
Read more…
Tags: adriel harris, brendan benson, cory chisel, hoboken, maxwell's, new york city, nyc, shopping, soho, sushi, the new museum
Posted by Monica Danna on Dec 9, 2009 in
travel If you’re just joining us for the nyc recaps, read nyc: {day.01} here, and nyc: {day.02} here.
Every time I visit NYC, or any other large city for that matter, the city gets more and more demystified. I remember my first trip in 2003, and I feel like the city was a thousand times bigger. The more and more I’ve traveled there, I’ve learned my way around the city, pride myself on my subway knowledge, and continue to develop my list of “How to Get Mistaken for a Local in Any City.”
Tip #1 is walk with a purpose. I always try to figure out where I’m headed before I leave the hotel. I’m not directionally challenged like a majority of my friends, so this is a little easier for me. There’s nothing more embarrassing than standing on a street corner with a folded out map and a confused look on your face. I will say, the iPhone’s GPS has made this a helluva lot easier to do.
Read more…
Tags: new york city, nyc, travel
Posted by Monica Danna on Dec 8, 2009 in
travel If you’re just joining us for the nyc recaps, catch up with nyc: {day.01} here.
Triple Threat
One thing I always like to do before a long trip to a big city, is subscribe to a few local arts and events newsletters a few weeks out. This helps me figure out local, non-touristy things to do in the city, and they usually have free or cheap events to boot. This trip I subscribed to Gothamist’s GothamList and New York Thrillist.
I found the GothamList much more helpful and full of cheap and free events for that day. Thursday morning I awoke to the issue in my inbox that featured Marfa NYC, a Texas BBQ joint in the East Village. Perf! So we made plans for later to visit Marfa and check out how it stacked up to Texas BBQ. Read more…
Tags: bbq, marfa, new york city, nyc
Posted by Monica Danna on Dec 7, 2009 in
travel Where to begin? I feel like the last five days went by in, pardon the pun, a New York minute. I guess time does fly when you’re having entirely too much insane fun. Which is exactly what we set out to do, and accomplished.
The reason for the trip was a laundry list of too good to be true chain of events: Well, there was the Kirtsy Book party, one in a series of parties I’ve been helping Kirtsy throw all over the country to celebrate Kirtsy Takes a Bow; Then there was Maggie’s 26th birthday, not to mention how Maggie and I first met, at her 21st birthday, which was reason #3, our five year friendiversary. And icing on the cake? Stef has been in Jersey for the last month helping out her mom, so we couldn’t wait to see her in her ‘hood. If that wasn’t enough, Maggie and I just needed a good getaway. And boy did we get it.
the jane hotel
We flew in Wednesday afternoon and met up with Kirtsy gals Laura and Laurie at our hotel, the absolutely adorable Jane Hotel {113 Jane St.} in the West Village. Thanks to Phillip Marshal for the fantastic recommendation. If you’ve ever decided on a hotel strictly on the inventiveness of their website, you’re my kinda people.
We headed for Soho to setup for the party. The event was being held at an amazing space called Meet {101 Crosby St.}, owned by (as I held my star struck tongue) the founders of the Wooster Collective, Sarah and Mark Schiller. I’ve been a fan of the WC website for years (thanks to Brent), and I was certainly shocked when during the party, a man approached me and remarked, “Is this you?”, shoved an Read more…
Tags: kirtsy, new york city, nyc, puck fair, tide, travel, wooster collective
Posted by Monica Danna on Dec 1, 2009 in
Best '09,
travel As part of the Best of 2009 Blog Challenge I’ll be blogging daily on the bests of 2009. Join me in reminiscing, won’t cha?
{December 1: Trip. What was your best trip in 2009?}
Can a trip I haven’t taken count? I leave tomorrow morning for New York for 5 days. #1 for Maggie’s Birthday, #2 For me and Maggie’s Friendiversary (5 years!), and #3 to throw a kick arse Kirtsy Book Party at this kick arse place. Activities planned: Shop ’til our heels fall off. Scope out as many dive bars in the East Village that we can in 4 days. Hang out with Steffie in Hoboken (w00t!). Generally rock out.
Yeah. I’d say this could be my trip of the year.
However, I’ve made lots of trips this year that would stand as contenders.
Boulder in March for Gwen + Joel’s Wedding.
San Francisco for Laura + Anthony’s Wedding.
Tucson in August for Taneka + Jeff’s Wedding.
Do you see a pattern forming here?
For 2010 I’ve already a few trips planned: Chicago to visit my little Miggelita, back to Colorado for Kasey + Dave’s Wedding, and to Orange County.
Tags: best09, travel
Posted by Monica Danna on Dec 26, 2008 in
arts + events,
coworking,
travel And so continues the 2008 Wrap-up. Jan, Feb, March here. April + May here.
June: Community. Coworking. Caroline.
The first week of June, we feverishly prepared Caroline for her debut to the world. Gutting, cleaning, painting, gardening, desk assembling. We didn’t leave a brick unturned, as we spiffed her up for the 600 people who came through the doors on June 7, 2008, to witness the beginning of an amazing movement in Houston. A marriage of technology and art, a product of the passion of a select few, and the support of a an amazing community. It is one of the proudest things I’ve ever been apart of. And I am thankful to Matt and Ned for asking me to take part in it. Today I look back at this year, and I will always remember it most for Caroline, Sweet, Caroline. | View Caroline Opening Party Pics
Image: Ed Schipul
June also brought many events to Caroline. This first Annual Lebowski Bash organized by our very own, Jason McElweenie, was the highest attended event at Caroline to date. With over 800 Nihilists, Acheivers, Dudes, Donny’s, and Maudes streaming in to share in Caucasians, Tasty Libations from Houston’s own Saint Arnold Brewery, and a special performance by Houston’s own, The Ton Tons. And of course….we screened the movie. We even got Sexy Attacked!—which had me beside myself with excitement. | View Lebowski Bash Flickr Pool
After the hustle and bustle of June calmed down, Miggy and I head for the border! We spend an awesome weekend in Riviera Maya, sunbathing, canyon repelling, and ruin climbing. It was the perfect mid-year break. Much needed for both of us, I’m sure.
July: July continued with more great events at Caroline. Jeremy Jay and his band stopped by for a set, and later stopped by my place where I made them vegetarian pizzas (yes, me, cooked) and helped them set up a blog. (Which looking at it now, looks like they haven’t touched it since!)
ArtStorm, Caroline’s resident art organization and gallery, opened their 2nd, and extremely sucessful show at Caroline, Creature Comforts, featuring the art of some of my favorite Houston artists: Lisa Marie Godfrey and Ely Sebatian Brumbaugh.
"The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco"
July was also more travel, as I headed to San Francisco for 2008 BlogHer Conference. I also had a chance to visit with my great friend, Laura Mott, and spend some time in the city with Fayza, as she prepared to move BACK to Houston!
Houston Chronicle Covers Green Networking at Beaver's Icehouse
We had some great times at Beaver’s this summer, thanks to New Living’s weekly Happy Hour, Green Drinks. Some of our favorite charities and non-profits benefited each Wednesday as proceeds from eco-friendly drinks and munchies were donated.
Tags: 2008 wrap-up, caroline collective, green drinks, lebowski bash, yearly recap