Today I’m heading to Baltimore to board a plane bound for Utah. We drove through the corner of Utah last summer on our family vacation to Colorado and the Grand Canyon and loved every second of that state through the car windows. I wish I was going to hike in Zion National Park and take some pictures in Arches, but those will have to wait for another trip. This trip is about creativity, hanging with friends and sharing my love of milk paint.
I’m going to the SNAP! Conference to teach a hand’s on milk paint workshop.
Getting ready for this one has made me think of the first blog conference I attended – Blissdom in January 2011. I was a baby blogger then and had only met a couple of other bloggers in real life. I was a mess as the conference was approaching. I felt like I needed to prove myself to my peers as a serious, yet creative entrepreneur. I was stressed out about what to wear…like, sick to my stomach stressed out about it. I was stuck in my wear-bandanas-and-ill-fitting-paint-clothes-everyday stage and the idea of having to get cute was scary.
In addition, I didn’t really know ANYONE going. I knew them through their blog, but I had never even had a phone conversation with anyone. Would the bloggers I love, love me back? Would they be horrible, caddy and gossipy in person? Would it be a big waste of time, money, and stress over cute clothes by the end of it?
Since I didn’t know anyone, I chose to room alone. My boys were really young at the time and I viewed it as a retreat as well as a conference. Traci from Beneath my Heart asked me to room with her and her sister, but I danced around that invitation, explaining I was looking forward to some time in a nice, quiet hotel room. The truth was that I was scared people would sound cool on their blog and then they’d be a nightmare to room with and the entire weekend would be a downer.
As soon as I started connecting with my blog-world friends and heros, I wished I had accepted Traci’s offer. They were all as nice and wonderful and sweet and fun as they were on their blogs and I felt alone back in my room. Well, blog conferences are overwhelming, so it was nice to have a quiet place to collect my thoughts, call home and work on my e-mail, but I would’ve traded that for the late night chats in jammies.
I learned a lot at that first blog conference…but most of it was learned over lunch and conversations with my peers. That’s when the frantic note-taking happened and when I really felt a part of this amazing community. That’s when people helped me set up Twitter on my phone, introduced me to hashtags and hooked me up with their favorite ad network.
I’ve gone to two blog conferences since, both of them as a speaker. I’ll still buy a few new clothes and try things on as I pack. I still get some butterflies and probably overthink things and slip into that junior high I-hope-they-like-me mentality, but I’m much more relaxed.
So, if you’re coming to SNAP! and you’re feeling stressed about it…take a deep breath. This is about learning and being inspired, not about who has the cutest outfit. It’s about connecting, not competing. It’s hard to remember that sometimes. And, if you don’t know anyone, you can come find me and we can sit at the lunch table together and talk about blogging and business and girly things.
If you’d like to take my workshop, it’ll be at 4:00 pm on Friday. I’ll be teaching three techniques and sharing all about milk paint. It’s not going to be a long commercial for my milk paint, but a class where you can learn a lot of techniques that can be translated to other mediums and brands. I’m not a good sales-woman in that way. So, I hope you’ll join me! If you’re not at SNAP!, I’ll share pictures as well as recipes for the techniques I teach.
Okay, so it’s not about the cute, but I thought I would share one of the outfits I bought yesterday. I like to be comfy when I travel, but I always feel like such a slouch in sweats and a hoodie, so when I saw this knit skirt, fitted sweatshirt and cotton scarf, I knew that would be a good option…
I got everything from the Eddie Bauer outlet… Black knit skirt, fitted hoodie, light blue cami (on clearance), and flip-flops that feel like memory foam. I like wearing shoes I can kick off as I’m going through security.
I also got a haircut Tuesday and went a little lighter with my highlights for spring. I like to change things up every time I go to the salon…
Some of you have asked, so I’ll share more about the Levi’s jeans I bought yesterday and why I like them so much.
I’ll be sharing pics on Facebook and Instagram, so follow along if you don’t already!
29 Responses
Wish I was going to SNAP! Someday…but for now Haven is soooo close and easy and incredible that I am excited to be returning there this year! Last year was my first conference and I was sooooo nervous! I didn’t know a soul but people were so friendly and welcoming and I made some friends that I know will be lifers! I too opted for that “quiet time” alone single room but not this year! Look out for me and roomie Wendy who I met at YOUR Paint class with Shaunna! Thanks for the memories…so many more to come! Safe trip and enjoy every moment!
I have those flip flops in two colors, they are the BEST!
Kudos to you for always being kind, encouraging, and approachable. You help many people. That was sweet of you to extend yourself to others who are newbies now. Enjoy your conference!
I am not sure where you are getting your information, but good topic.
I needs to spend some time learning much more or understanding
more. Thanks for great info I was looking for this info for
my mission.
You look fantastic with your new hairdo and the outfit looks stylish yet comfy! Some day, I’d love to take one of your classes – any plans to come to upstate NY in the near future?? Well, where I live is very close to Canada.
Have fun at SNAP Marian, Wish I was going…maybe next year. I’ve been to two blog conferences and like you, I was nervous as could be my first time. The second time was a lot better….and I plan to have the best time ever at my 3rd conference….Haven 2014. Hope to see you there!
Marion, for some reason I can’t figure out, I an no longer getting an email notification when you have a new post. I thought maybe I had somehow deleted it, so I tried to subscribe again and it comes up that I m already a subscriber. Any suggestions as to what I should do?
Wish I lived closer I would attend. Love all you do…and your book has blessed my life many times.
Enjoy…they will love you.
This was a favorite post, for me. I appreciate your putting yourself out there by admitting your past insecurities. It makes you more relatable I guess. As a blog reader, it can appear that the hosts of successful blogs have this “perfect” life…beautiful homes, supportive husbands, sweet children, delicious meals, thriving small businesses. It’s so refreshing that you present all those things AS WELL as the personal struggles. It’s one reason why I am one of your loyal followers. THANK YOU for taking the time to write such an honest post. Have a blast at the conference, Marian!
Marian, I am in the same boat with Sherry a couple of post above me. It is not just your blog but several others. It first began in dec. with Houspitality Designs. I notified Shirley but it was never resolved. I began to think it was just me. Now I know there are others out there.Very frustrating. Hope someone can get this resolved soon.What Rhoda from Southern Hospitality did was not a correction,so I have no idea what the issue is or just how widespread but I glad it’s not just me and others now are voicing it. Thanks
Have a wonderful trip.
I am the one who is a friend of your mother-in-law. She is sooooooooooo looking forward to coming up to be with the boys in may.
I don’t know what’s going on with it. I’ve received that comment from a few others, but I’m not sure how to fix it. I’m still receiving the feeds and other are as well… Tech stuff like this is so annoying!
p.s. Have a great time!
I so wish I could be there to meet you and learn from you! Maybe someday :). Until then, I am counting down the days to the Creatively Made Business class! Have fun and travel safely.
So cutie! Have a great trip!
Thanks Marion. I can certainly relate. Wish I were closer to attend. Hope you come to Northern California again. Have a great trip!
I loved the outfit and cute hair! It must have been something in the air because Tuesday, my hair went shorter too. I’m loving the shorter hair.
Safe travels and look forward to seeing you in Luckettes. I need some more Ironstone!
Super hair cut and love the outfit….especially the shoes….Hope the conference is great
Have a great conference, Marian. You are an inspiration to us all.
kerry
Wish I could be at SNAP with you! 🙁 And I still wish you had roomed with me and my sister at Blissdom! hee.hee.
But it’s all good! We had a great time anyway, didn’t we?!!
Have a blast!!
xoxo
Traci
Hi Marian
I have always roomed alone at any conference I have attended. I have to tell you: there is something nice to being in control of your peace, and quiet, and sleep while you’re in such a frenetic environment. There will be plenty of time to meet people and hang out…but when you’re ready to turn in for the night, or take a leisurely shower, you can regroup as needed.
Have fun teaching and “refilling your bucket”
Thanks for your honesty, I’m sure many people can relate to having those same feelings you shared! Your new outfit & hair looks great, have a great time!
You are as gorgeous as your work – INSPIRATION!
You certainly have us “far away” readers wishing we could be there too! It is sooo sweet to calm those “hebe jebes” for those who haven’t been to a conference…wish that had happened for my first out of town corporate meeting.. and you have the most beautiful blue eyes!! Have fun!
I live in Utah and I am so happy you got to experience the arches. Enjoy the conference and we look forward to more. Hugs
Hi Marian,
Same here as Sherry and Linda, I don’t receive the email notifications anymore, since mid-April. I tried do subscribe again, but was turned down with the reason that I am already in list. There are a few other blogs I’m having the same problem with, not sure what to do…
Anyway, have a blast at the conference! Can’t wait to read your post about it afterwards!
You are loved! 🙂
Marian, if you haven’t seen Bryce Canyon in Utah, you are missing my favorite site in the state. Hope you will bring your family again!
Glad to know I’m not the only one intimidated by a blog conference! I would love to be able to go to Haven this year, but am also scared to death about now knowing anyone and it not being worth the investment. Thanks for candidly sharing your experiences.
I also am not receiving email notifications from you and from several other blogs. I read somewhere that it is a yayoo, at&t, feedburner issue. It’s been going on a few weeks now. It is frustrating.
My partner and I stumbled over here coming from a different website and thought I should check things out.
I like what I see so i am just following you. Look forward to looking over your web page yet again.