5.20.2016

The Elevate Conference Edition

Ages ago Liz and Erin mentioned attending Elevate, a blogging conference right here in Southern California. To be honest, I was a little hesitant to register. This space of mine is small. I wasn't really sure, what good would a conference be for me?

Then I discovered the conference landed on the day after Scott returned home from a two week work trip. I couldn't pass up the conference. A day dedicated to blogging, empowering women, and hanging out with two of my favorite ladies? It was exactly what I needed to recharge after two weeks of solo parenting. 

While I'm not going to give a fully detailed run-down of the day (Liz did an amazing job, check out her post for all the deets), I dowant to hit the highlights.

1. My Happy Place.
Blogging is kind of a weird thing to try and explain to non-bloggers - especially when I start talking about on-line friends. But this little space of mine truly makes me happy. It's something I pride myself on. For an entire day I was surrounded by people who got 'it'. I never felt awkward or weird saying, "I blog." And *that* is a special thing.

2. Inspiration.
Ok, so not everyone in this picture was a new face. But, Jenica and Lindsay were so sweet to oblige in a 5-person selfie.
Jenica, from A Slice of Style, was the absolute sweetest. Not to mention, she's due with twins (!) (after 3 round of IVF), and was one of our speakers for the day.
Though many of the women at the conference did so much more than blog (at lunch I was seated at a table with the creators/owners of Chatbooks, another woman made and sold diaper bags, another lady laser cut wood to make all sorts of great things) everyone was so positive and willing to share their story, along with encourage each of us to set big goals and go for them.

3. The Food and Drinks.
We ate some of the most scrumptious food and devoured sweets that were nothing short of mind-blowing. I also experienced my first Dirty Diet Coke - it. was. so. good. I only slightly kid that I'd like to attend next year just for the food.

4. The Swag
The Happy Planner ladies gave every one of us a brand new planner along with so many accessories and supplies for said planner. It was bananas!
The sponsors and shops that made the conference possible were beyond generous with the goodies. The amount of stuff I brought home was simply insane.

5. These two.
Never in a million years did I think documenting my life on a thing called a blog would lead me to people that I consider my closest and dearest friends. I'm pretty lucky to be part of this tribe.

So, what good did a blogging conference do for me and this little blog? It pushed me to meet new people, it brought inspiration I didn't even know I wanted or needed, and gave me a day to spend with some pretty phenomenal ladies. 
I'd say it did a whole lot. 

Have a great weekend!

21 comments:

  1. Wow! That conference looks and sounds like a blast. Great pictures! Holy moly the swag is just crazy. I can't wait to hear what you think of hte planner. I have an Erin Condren one and question changing. Have a great weekend.

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  2. This is awesome! Love your recap of it. You actually made me want to go to a blog conference as I've heard so many nightmare stories.

    You look fabulous. Love the outfit you wore!

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  3. Love this! Wish I had one closer, and you look fab!

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  4. It looks so awesome! I really hope to go to one sometime. I just wish there were some close to me! :( And the swag looks ah-mazing!!

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  5. What a great conference and so fun to spend the day with Liz and Erin! Okay, a friend snapped the other day that she was getting a dirty dr pepper and I had no idea what it was. I wonder if its similar to the dirty diet coke? Sounds good to me. Whoa…all that swag. So cool! I use the Happy Planner and it’s my favorite. I’m jealous you guys got them for free and all the awesome accessories, too! Happy weekend, friend!

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  6. What a beautiful event! I still can't get over the swag!! And a fun day with friends on top of it! Awesome!

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  7. So glad you had such a great experience! And yes, blogging is such a weird, weird thing and embarrassing to explain to non-bloggers! That's why I'm so thankful for blogger friends!

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  8. What a day! So glad that you went!

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  9. What a fun experience and what fun goodies you ended up going home with! Glad you enjoyed it!

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  10. So much fun!!! You definitely deserved the Me Time and holy swag! Love those wooden name signs!

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  11. Now if that isn't the perfect way to spend the day, I don't know what is. What a neat experience!

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  12. 1. I really need a day with three. 2. I really want all that swag!

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  13. 1. I really want a day with you three. 2. I really want all that swag.

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  14. I seriously had no idea what to expect going in, but I knew I would have a fun day with the two of you and that was enough. But i didn't expect what an INCREDIBLE day it would be! You definitely hit on all the high points (I mean, I'd totally go back next year for the food too! And you guys totally need to come down here so we can take Scott to that taco place!) but I think spending the day with you and Erin was definitely the best one of all. Love you girls so much!

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  15. I know I don't blog anymore, but people DO look at you weird when you mention online friends that you have never met before. I get that frequently.

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  16. It sounds like all of you had a great time! Love that you were able to do this. I hope to attend a conference like this at some point- I think it'd be a lot of fun!

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  17. Whoa the swag!!! I have ALWAYS wanted to go to a blog conference but I know it would be A LOT more fun with friends. We should find one in Vegas and get a group of ladies to go sometime. You can always find cheap flights there :).

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  18. It really was so much fun! I love reading everyone's recaps!

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  19. This is so awesome! I love that you guys got to attend this together and hang out! I must join you next year! I cannot get over all that swag!! Wow!

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