A few weeks ago I was lucky enough to take the morning off from my usual responsibilities to attend a quarterly Arizona Bloggers Meetup. This meeting was partnered with the Say Hi Society at the brand new Falls Event Center in Gilbert, AZ. This building was incredible, I’m pretty sure just the bathroom alone was larger than my entire home. I could have just stayed in there for hours, but it’s a bathroom so I guess thats kinda gross. We were welcomed & signed in while picking a swag bag from a row that covered half the floor. I just picked at random and was so thrilled with what was inside! Swag bags are definitely ad added plus of attending a blog conference. Not only is it fun to be pampered with some new products – but it is also a great opportunity to to connect and find out new companies.
Man, the table settings were amazing – I mean that pop of yellow and the bright blue. I’m pretty sure just because of that I have decided to incorporate some blue accents into my Grey/Yellow Master bedroom. Presley was dropped off with me towards the end of the conference and she grabbed a few blue spoons – she thought they were just the absolute greatest.
While, I loved listening to the speakers (more about them in a minute) I was blown away by this amazing book from Guesterly (Chapbooks). We alls submitted information prior to the meet up and in this little handheld book was every attendees picture, a quick bio and some links. Seriously amazing to put names to blogs/social media and something I carry about with my planner all the time. It’s great to connect with a few of these people every week. Plus, I didn’t hand out as many business cards as I usually do. Where’s Waldo – or Tausha?? See me in the back. 1. The lighting in here was incredible – but all these pictures are courtesy of Let Me See You Sparkle Photography – Chrissy Delacy my darling friend. Homegirl took Presleys 18month pictures and was seriously amazing with Presley (who at the time was still in her “hate everything about life phase”)After a quick breakfast snack from StonyField and some Meet & Greet time (I am an introvert so this part is so hard for me, but I try and meet FIVE new people every blog conference I attend!) it was time to settle down for Speakers. First up were the entrepreneurs behind the Mommy Mail Box who talked to us about collaborations, instagram round-ups, and patterning with other social media influencers.
Then of course, we were #PamperedByPampers with a complete nail station, hair and makeup station, and my favorite a personal session with Reachel Bagley from Cardigan Empire. She got up close and personal with everyone who wanted a free evaluation and measured you to find out your shape & then gave you a color evaluation. With this information, you can find out all the colors, and way you should be dressing to bring out the best of your features. I met her before at a previous meet up and she has got to be one of the coolest gals I know. She’s just got incredible style & radiates such kindness. I read her blog very often just to get some crazy, yet overly stylish easy to put together outfits. I’ve also thought of kidnapping her and making her be my personal stylist.
Then, we sat down with some snacks from Kneaders and listened to Matt Molan from Tanga.Com who taught us all about email marketing and how it is so important to have a newsletter that corresponds with your blog. This was all just a little over my head, but he was kind enough to answer a ton of my questions after his speech and I took down so many notes my hand was sore.
Then, we were spoiled with a delicious Make-Your-Own-Jumbo Sandwich and desert from Kneaders. I’m still dreaming about this because this darn Whole30 is taking me sooooo much self control! I’m totally drooling at this picture.
As the event was closing up, we got some more time to mingle, get our hair braided or makeup done (I passed) and of course, stepped in front of the camera for a few professional pictures! Chrissy, I tell ya, does NOT disappoint! Also, since our event as #PamperedByPampers a few Moms from the event shared some of the joys of parenting. It was so much fun reading through all of them, How can you even narrow it down to just one?!
Huge thanks to all the amazing individuals and sponsors that made this possible:
Pampers, Kneaders, Stonyfield, BabyLit, Kern + Flourish, Happy Socks, Bobs Red Meal, Chatbooks, Let me see you Sparkle Photography, Mommy Mailbox, Matt from Tanga.Com and of course all the girls who manage the Arizona Blogger Meetup Group.
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