I have never been to a blog conference before and I had no idea I would get so many goodies.
We received this Blissdom Charm designed by the lovely Lisa Leonard in our welcome bags. I’ve hosted a giveaway for her before, so it was such a delight to meet her face-to-face. She is the real deal.
In addition to all of the goodies from the sponsors and vendors (like free ice cream from Blue Bunny, free undies from Jockey, a tote from Lands End, and on and on), bloggers are handing out treats. I hit the mother load when I sat at a crafty-girls table for lunch.
I even bought a camera strap slipcover by Ruthanne from Eclectic Whatnot, just because I sat by her at lunch and her work is so beautiful.
I might ask for a necklace from Allora Handmade for my birthday and I’m definitely ordering some of her hair pins to reign in my doo. Jessica does amazing work.
They served PB and J bread pudding for dessert, which…well…let’s just say it wasn’t chocolate…
… or cheesecake.
But that’s OK, because Edie from Life in Grace made some delicious fudge and that satisfied my sweet tooth quite well.
I didn’t go to any of the sessions, yet, today. I had to escape to my room to process everything. The generosity and friendship and advice and fun have all been a little overwhelming in the best possible way. It must be how a three year old feels at Christmas when his parents buy him too many presents because they’re so excited for him. (Not that we’ve ever done that.) I wish I could spread all of this throughout the year instead of getting it in one huge dose that is so amazing I am about to burst.
Tomorrow is back to reality. I fly home to have a nice dinner with my husband and then get right back into mommy mode and getting-ready-for-the-ground-hog-day-sale-at-Lucketts mode and I-just-learned-I-have-a-toilet-and-sink-and-beadboard-sitting-in-my-living-room-that-needs-to-be-installed-in-my-bathroom mode and when-does-Miss-Mustard-Seed-ever-sleep mode. Yeah. That mode.
For now, I’m going to enjoy my fudge, my goodies and my new friends.
31 Responses
Wow, thanks for sharing all this info! This is so interesting to the blog-reading world.
Congratulations!! You are over 4,000 followers!
so nice to see all these wonderful and creative women get together and share some love….
Adoration is beautiful, but the grind is what real life is about. Boys are anxious for your return! Love, Dad
Thanks for sharing! Can't wait to hear all about it:)
Enjoy the remainder of your trip Marion,Have a safe journey home and try to squeeze in a little rest.
How wonderful for you! I'm so glad that your conference is going so well. Hope you make a really big terrific haul of goodies to bring home and enjoy.
Hugs XX
Barbara
You deserve every bit of it, Marian. (Can you tell I'm vicariously attending Blissdom through you.) Yeah. You can let Jessica (Allora Handmade) know that I am ordering her gray and white lacey rose statement bracelet. That thing it is beautiful, man! Thanks for introducing us to her shop. I love the way she makes her roses. Best I've seen. Enjoy!
Hugs,
Jami
Awe! So FUN!! I SO wish I was there! Something to look forward too for next year. I am already planning….Glad you are having fun!!
Sounds like a wonderful week! Glad you're having a great time.
It is so nice to hear how much fun you are having. Your pictures are wonderful, as usual….even the ones you don't think are. We all love them all. Take advantage of every wonderful moment and thank you for sharing!
Wishing you a safe journey home.
wow it all sounds so great! I would love it if you would tell us what Blissdom is about. If I am going to consider going next year I would like to know how it would benefit me and my blog. What are the sessions about, how many do you go to? Did you feel it was worth the money other than the break from being a mommy and meeting great people? 🙂
Thanks for sharing! I hope I get to go next year, reading your blog makes me feel like I know you already!
New Blogger Debbie
Wow! Sounds like a fabulous time!
It was so nice to meet you and get to know you at Blissdom. Thank you for being so welcoming and kind! Hope you had a wonderful time – looking at your pictures now I REALLY wish we could have stayed another day or two. Sounds so much fun. Good luck with getting back to "reality"!
Kristin (Melissa's sister)
Just wonderful, Marian!
Now I wanna go to a blog conference, too! 🙂
Happy Weekend!
Anne
Sounds like such an amazing experience. I loved your honestly about retreating to your room because you were so excited and overwhelmed….I think that would totally happen to me, too! 😉 Did you keep a journal of your experience and to record ideas and inspirations?
~michelle~
I want a nice long chat on the phone once you get home after you catch your breath. My treat!
Go MMS Go!
Donna
Oh what fun you are having. Makes me want to go next year!! And your goodies are awesome looking.
I understand being overwhelmed…processing takes time. Enjoy the rest of your stay!
Safe trip home!
Hugs
SueAnn
We're so glad you're having fun, I know it must be great to finally put names faces with names !Can't wait to hear all about it when you get back home and get settled. Hope you made some more pictures!
Carol in GA
Experiences like that can best be described as like "trying to drink from a fire hose". It's so inspiring to read about a group so freely and willingly sharing. Have a safe trip home.
That sounds like such a great time, Marian!! To be surrounded by so many of our fav blog friends and get to meet them face to face! I'll bet that room was just brimming with creativity!!! 🙂
xoxo laurie
I hope you have a safe trip home. Glad we got to catch up a little! I know you will be happy to see your boys once you get home. I know I WAS!!!
Brittany
http://www.prettyhandygirl.com
Soundsl like just what the doctor ordered….I am glad that you are having fun….smiles.
It sounds like so much fun…nice to meet in person the people you blog with so often!! Have a safe trip home ~
Thanks for sharing…
sandraallen260@centurytel.net
I just came across your blog!!! I really love it!!! Your content is amazing!!! No wonder so many people love you!!!
I wish I went to Blissdom!!! It would of been so much fun! I just started bloggin though, and Just found out about it!! lol
Anyway, keep up the GREAT work! You are amazing!!! I'm deffinitely following you!!!
xoxo
I am *so* glad you sat at our table for lunch that day.
it was so great to meet you! thanks for the little link up, your blog is gorgeous!
I am so determined to go next year! I "watched" the action via the #blisdom twitter feed and was just dying to be there as I heard about all the good info you guys were getting! Not to mention hearing all the gals that I follow and feel I "know" getting together and having such fun! So excited for you – hope the daily grind doesn't bring you down from the Bliss clouds to quickly!
This is a lovely post. I could feel where you're coming from. Your graceful, sincere way with words really hits the spot. Nice touches about the way group dynamics can shelter everybody. It's nice to know smart women who create can gather and lend each other their mutual support. Makes me wish we could all come along with you next time.
Rose McGuinn