Sessions, Smeshions.
There is no doubt that this year, Blogher was all about the parties and networking… at least it was for me.
It’s not that I didn’t care about the sessions, I just didn’t care FOR the sessions this year. (Though, admittedly – I didn’t attend many last year either- but at least I tired! )
Over all the sessions for Blogher 2010, just seemed like a lot of the same to me. Panels of fellow bloggers talking about- Monetizing your blog, Blogging for newbies, How to pitch your blog, blah blah blah. It’s not that those classes aren’t good topics- but, for those of us doing this blogging thing for a while- we want the next level. We want to hear from authors, PR Professionals, etc. The more I spoke to people, the more it seemed this was an echoed feeling- so hopefully, next year Blogher will make an advance track and beginners track so that there is something for everyone.
Fortunately, even if you had no interest in the sessions- you still had plenty to do because there were so many parties going on. I’m not sure if its because it was in New York or because the interest in working with Bloggers is growing- but the red carpet was being rolled out night, after night (sometimes literally).
Thursday, I split my night between Child’s Play & Bloganthropy’s “Dinner’s on Us” event and NYCity Mama’s Madame Tussuad’s Wax Museum Party.
The Mamatini’s at Dinner’s On Us were so yummy, I had 2- craved 3 but feared a headache. I was sad that I had to leave before the award ceremony- there were some amazing women nominated – however, I was thrilled to have finally met the brilliant Maggie of Violence Unsilenced, the hillarious Becky of Mommy Wants Vodka and fellow Jersey Girl, Jen of MamaSaid there.
After I left Dinner’s on us, I booked to Madame Tussuad’s Wax Museum to hang out with my New York City Go-To-Gal, Carol Cain of NYCityMama.com.
I almost forgot how scary and frustrating it is navigating through the crowds in Times Square when you are in a rush… and 3 inch heels (What was I thinking? I know. My feet have served me with divorce papers.). The Museum was party had great food, great drinks and great people (both wax and living). I got to see spend time with some of my favorite blogger friends, like Nancy, Issa, Jesse, Jen, MJ & Duong…. and yes, I even got to take a picture with P-Diddy…. which was almost as exciting as meeting & hanging out with Carol’s good friend and fellow blogger- Tod of The Reluctant Dad. That is one Daddy blogger people need to watch out for- he is hysterical.
Friday, I attended the amazing “Getting Gorgeous” event put on by the fabulous Audrey McClelland & Very Sweeney… and Gorgeous is exactly how I felt walking out of there– Hello, MircaleBody Jeans-that-make-you-look-10-lbs-lighter! I made a conscious effort not to “load up on swag” this year, but these jeans I could not pass up! Oh, and Mr. Complicated was pretty stoked about the PowerMat I came home with too! ;)
After Getting Gorgeous, it was all about getting ready- for Sweets In The City that is. Planning it had its stress filled moments, but really can a party with cupcakes, wine, Sharpies and Toys ever really go wrong?
You can read more about my experience & that party on The Big Toy Book Blog.
After our party was over, all of The Big Toy Book Moms and I headed out to Faces and Names for Baby Bites. And after 5 hours and 3 cupcakes at Sweets In The City, they had SLIDERS! We heart Baby Bites! :)
Saturday, I was invited to a launch party for the upcoming Nate Berkus Show, but before we headed there- my roommate, Jen (Mommy Instincts) and I headed to Hair Rules for an ICandy event by Nicole of Mom Trends. ICandy is sleek and trendy new stroller hitting US Markets- and no, we did not get to take one home as swag… however, we did get hair & makeup done by some of NYC’s best stylists. Jen, even got a haircut by celebrity hair stylist & Hair Rules owner- Dickie. Is that the best swag ever or what?
After Nate, I met up with Liz, Alecia and Elise for Blogtourage 2010 (An exclusive made up event by a group of saucy awesomeness). This year The Blogtourage was a larger group– I unfortunately do not have a picture of the larger group— though if anyone does I’d be happy to add it.
Once the Blogtourage dining festivities had ended, we continued by heading back to the Hilton and dancing the night away at CheeseburgHer- always so much fun! Because even though your stomach will beg to differ at 5am, Cheeseburgers always sound like a fabulous idea at 2am – especially on the last day of blogher! ;)
As one can imagine I woke up EXHAUSTED the next day, and with the voice of a pubescent 12 yr old boy – all crackly and losing it more by the minute.. but had one final event to attend.
NYCity Mama’s #TasteLoews. An absolutely phenomenal event, chauffeured by Chevy. The room was filled with an amazing group, an over abundance of delicious food and even a Fisher Price play area for the kids!
I messed up the hashtag about 20 times, I blame it on lack of sleep… so my twitter stream was filled with many retweets about it with different hashtags– so, my tweeps definitely got the memo of how amazing this event was… and if they could taste the Brisket, hashbrown and power smoothies- they would be green with envy.
More on Blogher tomorrow.. discussing non-party stuff…. Right now, bed is calling me.
Is there such a thing as catching up on sleep post Blogher? … I don’t know, but I’m about to find out.
