Y3W | Going to BlogHer!

You've probably noticed this button on the side of my blog for about 2-3 months now...

And I'm happy to say that I'm lucky enough to be going to the BlogHer Conference this August in San Diego, CA!!!

I am beyond excited for this opportunity.... you guys have no idea how grateful I am. There are fellow bloggers that are going to be at this conference that I have developed great friendships with and I will finally be able to meet some of them in real life. That's huge. And? I know this sounds crazy, but I actually think I might cry meeting a few... I will just be that excited. {Ahem, Molly.}

Sponsors
First, I would not even have such a lovely opportunity if it weren't for my sponsors Medifast & Boudreaux's Butt Paste. I am oh so grateful for them and I want to send out a huge, gigantic thank you to these two fabulous companies who have supported me for quite some time now.

THANK YOU!

Newbie
Okay, so. After talking to a ton of people and reading a million posts like this very one I'm about to write... here is a newbie's take on this conference.

Paper
Of course, anyone who has ever attended this conference knows... you need business cards. Yes, business cards for your blog. You just meet so many people there and it's nice to exchange names, emails, twitter handles, and of course, blog addresses while you're there.

Below are some of the things I designed for myself...
Stickers {from Moo.com} with my blog button on them. These will be used for my sponsor swag bags {hot pink bags with some sweet Medifast & Butt Paste swag & coupons, etc in them all folded up and sealed with this gorgeous little sticker =}
My blog business cards, complete with a QR code =) {Moo.com}
Media cards. {VistaPrint} These turned out exactly how I envisioned. I wanted them to look like you were seeing my actual blog through a computer screen. They're complete with a Mac logo and camera circle at the top {because that's how I see it everyday =} On the front of the card is my blog URL, and stats/info about my blog...
...and on the back is info about me/the fam =)
Roommates
I'm lucky enough to have some pretty amazing roommates at BlogHer:

Chelsey- The Paper Mama
Kelly- The Turnip Farmer
Stephanie- Goober Monkey

And I can't wait to spend my very first BlogHer with these lovely ladies! Watch out San Diego!

Schedule/Parties
We got the BlogHer11 Pre-Conference Guide a few days ago so I started to make my schedule after reading about some of the sessions, etc. And? It's getting a little bit out of control. {Click to enlarge.}

I'm leaving for the conference a little early... August 3rd, so that I can meet up with some wonderful people and hang out at the beach for the day. It will be so nice to be there before things really kick off on Thursday! And? I can't wait to meet these pretty little ladies in person: Stephanie, Chelsey & Torie. And on Wednesday night, we're hoping to meet up with some more fabulous chicas for a GNO!

But? BlogHer is not all about the sessions and networking though. No. It's really about the parties. Here are a few that I'm super excited about:

{Also? The FlipFlop Wine Tasting Party!}

Attire
But what will I wear?? Seriously... I had to do some reserach about what you should be wearing during the day and then at night to some of these parties.

Warning: I tend to overpack. But Chelsey had a great packing strategy... she said she plans to take 2 outfits for each day and then 1 dress for evening wear. Perfect. Here are a few items I plan to take...

Day 1: Friday
This dress is SUPER comfy and I love it. I also plan to bring a cardigan, of course.
Dress: Kohls

Day 2: Saturday
Shirt: Old Navy | Capri's: Kohl'sExtra outfit #1
Shirt: Old Navy | Skirt: LOFT
Also packing jeans for this outfit!

Extra outfit #2:
Also with a Cardigan.
Dress: Anthropologie
Evening wear...
I've decided to go shopping in my sister Kacy's closet and I'm taking a shit ton of her ADORABLE dresses.

The Limited:
White House | Black Market:
White House | Black Market: {and probably my favorite dress ever}
Now this dress looks adorable on and makes anyone look super skinny. {Skinny? Yes, please!}
White House | Black Market {seeing a trend yet?}
And yet another adorable dress from White House | Black Market:
LOVE.

So, there you have it. I also have to start making a packing list, ya know... so I don't forget my spanx pj's & toothbrush. We'll also be sure to have extra bags {for all that swag we'll be getting} power strips and extra chargers {4 ladies + iPads, laptops, cell phones, etc = a ton of wires everywhere.} I'll also be wearing comfy shoes/flipflops during the day and comfy cute heels at night. Don't want to come home with blisters.

Oh, and did I mention this occurs on my birthday weekend? No? It does. Well, it's close enough since my birthday is the day after we come home!

And, although I am SO EXCITED about going to the conference, I also know for a FACT that I will miss my babies and husband the second I leave. It will not be easy. So although it looks like all fun and games... I will surely be missing my pretty little family back home.

But how often do you get an opportunity like this?

So, thank you to my wonderful husband for taking care of the kiddos while I'm gone. You guys will be missed more than you know. {I know he's rolling his eyes and saying "yeah right" as he reads this. I know it.}

And, to those of you who have made it this far? Bless your hearts.

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Have a lovely weekend!

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