on being a newbie...

Since it was my first time attending BlogHer I was most definitely a newbie! I sure am stocked that now I can officially be part of the community. However I feel like after this past weekend I can share with all of you some lessons I learn while being one of the new gals...

1\\ Make business/blog cards! There is a reason this is number one. Holy cow. Truthfully I had no idea how important cards were until the first day at BlogHer as everyone was asking for my non-existent cards. I read on another newbie post somewhere out there in the  world wide web how cards were key and I even past the info along to my blogger bffs. For me, time slipped by and I found myself without cards (and mind you it felt like I was the only one in all the land) until my husband saved the day. After seeing how dramatically upset I was at being without cards he went right online to Staples and quickly made some cards with all my valuable info. He did a great job, a pure peach in my heart. He placed the order and I went right over to Staples Copy and Print store to pick them up that was just down the street from the hotel. Only took two hours! I was saved. Make cards. It really is the best way to get yourself out there, just hand 'em a card :) 

2\\ On that topic, bring something to keep all your cards in! I swear I was busting at the seams with cards here and there. Next time I will invest in a little business card holder. Maybe even have two, one for my own cards to pass out and another to keep all of the others that I have received. Another thing that I think I will do next time is scribble right on the persons card where I met them. Was it at the newbie breakfast or was it at the session Blogging for the Love of it? I felt at times some of the faces and people I met were a blur with everything that was going on. So, a little note to myself will do that way I can reconnect and have some sort of idea about the person and their interests or what we might have in common. 

3\\Bring a notepad and pen, Ipad or laptop. Next time I will probably carry my MacBook into each session. I think it would be so nice to just go right to the websites or blogs or resources that are being talked about and see them first hand. Then just bookmark them for later. Fast and easy and no forgetting anything. 

4\\ There will be lots of swag! With around 130 vendors you will be getting to knew a ton of fun new products or services. The swag is awesome but it can get to be a lot and heavy. I mean people were shipping all their swag home for goodness sake! I swear my swag bag weighed about 5 pounds. Make sure you know what you are going to do with all of it. I know I will be packing one X-Large suitcase to fit everything in one shot. 

5\\ Get dressy. I did a good job with this! Go me :) I know a lot of women who where thinking "comfortable" which is great but with all the parties in the evenings it's nice to get fancy and do yourself up. We don't get to do that often! Get I get an AMEN?! 
Also, I found myself very cold when sitting in on the sessions. The hotel was super air conditioned which was amazing considering it was a bajillion degrees outside but I always had a cardigan with me. 

6\\ Another handy thing I wish I brought was a simple folder to keep coupons or any other handouts that I got throughout my time at BlogHer. I know I misplaced a few things along the way. I'm big on organization and I was feeling a little overwhelmed with all the stuff!!


Well, that's some of the basic things that I would modify in order to have the ultimate experience for BlogHer 13!! Is there anything that you think you would of done different??

on a NYC & BlogHer recap...

BlogHer 2012 came and gone. I think all of us who went are feeling like it went by in a blur. I know I am. It was beyond wonderful! I tried blogging on the whole experience as the days went by but failed miserably. At least I got two days in! Right? That's something? I felt like I was always somewhere doing something. I wanted to hit on a few of the key things that happened the last couple of day of NYC BlogHer 12.

For starters two words. Martha. Freakin. Stewart…Wait that's three. I thought Martha was an idol but after having lunch with her on day three I was blown away and now I just want to become her. She is so sweet and had a great way of staying her classy self with a hint graceful casualness. Let's not forget those purdy orange cropped pants and wedges. Hubba hubba! Since it was an interview sort of experience she answered all the questions in a way that had me hanging from every word! I didn't even manage to pick up my IPhone to snap a photo. Really that good people. I have a legit crush on Martha. Bless her crafty brain. 

The other key speaker at BlogHer was Katie Couric. Now, I'm not lying when I say that before seeing her sitting there in front of me I was totally ignorant to who she really is, of course I knew she was a news anchor but other than that not a thing. I was totally loving how open and personal she got with us, how down to earth she really felt to me. I learned that she is 55 years old and not even looking it or acting it for that matter. But really how do 55 year old act? That's silly. She has major tight biceps (thought that's important for all you to know). Smokin'! Plus I am totally going to be watching her new show on ABC. 

Aging young. That's what I felt the theme was for these speakers. Both Martha and Katie are aging young. The older they get the more young and vibrant they feel to us and are eager for more knowledge and to do more good in this world. They both spoke to all us bloggers as if we were one of them and they're words were super inspiring. I was humbling to have them speech in front of us and to be able to be involved in a history in the making. 

Other than hitting up session on learning about social media and learning about Google Analytics we adventured around NYC for some fun. Friday night we joined many others at the Helen Hayes Theatre were we saw Rock of Ages. HILARIOUS! I recommend it to all...well, other than small children. Music was hot and I was basically laughing the whole time. It was my first broadway show and totally worth every penny. Shout out to my dearest gem Tanya who stood for a good two hours waiting for half prices tickets while Julee and I were being bloggers in the air conditioned hotel. Props to you my dear!! 

Another first for me was a ride on a pedicab! NYC is full of them and it was a must to do it at least one. Very expensive but participating in that zig-zagging between cars and streets was no doubt well worth it. Fun! 

I've decided that BlogHer is my thang. I was overwhelmed with how fantastic the whole thing was put together and most of all how very kind and inspiring all the women I met are. I came out of there feeling loved and had a handful of new friends to connect with and a heap of knowledge that I cannot wait to put to use. BlogHer'13 is going to CHICAGO! Huzzah! I'll be saving every penny so that I can visit this massive community of women (and a few men) bloggers yet again.

Ps: one last thanks to Julee from My Happy Life by the Bay for making all this happen for me!! 

on the second day...

Man it's hard to get some blogging in! I've got some time so here I go telling you all about what we did yesterday.
We started the day off with going to the Top of Rockefeller Center. Sort of a touristy thing to do but since we got a early start the lines weren't as bad and we had fun. Totally a must when you are in NYC but go early!

We adventured down below Rockefeller where all the shops and restaurants are and found ourselves a neat low key eatery called 'Witch Craft. Clever name right?! I thought it was and it caught my eye right off the bat. Fun sandwiches and salads, pretty perfect for us. That was one bangin' BLT!

And look what we found just down the way from 'Witch Craft. ANTHROPOLOGIE! Of course we stopped in and shopped. I bought a darling mint colored tank top with cute ruffles and a mug. Can't wait to drink some good coffee out of that sucker.

Next up Julee and I registered and got our official lanyards for BlogHer '12 and soon after that we were on our way to the best start off to this week-- seeing Obama speak to all of us. TO US :)

Photo really doesn't do justice but you get the idea. Obama is a great speaker and I was feeling lucky to get to have him talk to all of us. There was a lot of serious talk but the guy is funny too.
After Obama we got to have fun visiting over 130 of all the vendors and sponsors for BlogHer. Let's just say we left with a 10 pound bag of free goodies. Can I get a woot woot?! Soon after it was time to hit the BlogHer parties and that's where I am going to cut this post off because to be honest I don't remember much of the rest of the night ;) All I know is that we danced our butts off and basically got a good crowd of women to come dance with us on the floor. Fun stuff!

But just so you don't feel left out, I'm leaving you with this very blurry photo of me and my best friend Tanya with balloon hats that we have no idea where we got. Whoever made these kick butt balloon hats and if you're reading this I thank you and here's a shout out to YOU :) Way cool. So there you go and I'll catch you up later on what we had going on today.

on being reunited...

Well, I'm here. I'm the big New York City. I rode the Bolt Bus down yesterday around 3 and didn't get here around 5:30pm. Of course we hit a little bit of traffic. But alas, I am here and having the best time of my life.

I've been reunited with these special gals. I am beyond thrilled to have my better halves by my side yet again. Last night we hit up a restaurant called Pazza Notte that we happened to stubble upon when walking down the street from our Hilton Hotel. It seemed like the happenin' place. It has people packed in so tight the place was busting from the seams with loud music and great Italian food. Our kind of place!

After that we headed on a walk to Times Square.

It's really cool seeing all those ordinary people in one spot and people who are from all over the world!
Julee and I are here for BlogHer '12!! It's our first time and we are flipping out. It is going to be so much fun and such a great learning experience. And let me just say our hotel is jammed with WOMEN. Holy Cow. I'll keep you all updated on the fun but for now I got to get me some coffee. It was only our first night and today we are on some more adventures. If you aren't following me on Instagram, do it know since I'll be posting like a mad man and showing all our NYC shenanigans :)