The best part of attending the Social Media Mom's Celebration was getting to meet bloggers I've been reading or gotten to know through Twitter face to face. Meeting bloggers and finding new blogs to add to my ever growing list was also really great. I just wish we'd had time to more time to mingle. For various reasons, I didn't get a chance to really connect with many of the attendees until the last day. I was most looking forward to meeting Amy from Teach Mama, who I've been corresponding with and whose blog I greatly admire. She's a frequent contributor to my other blog ABC & 123 and has fantastic lessons ideas on her blog. A reading teacher and literacy consultant she's a must read with high quality educational content. I met many bloggers briefly and a few in more depth, here are more stand-outs from the trip:I've already mentioned meeting Kathie from What Now?!?!?!, a member of the 2010 Walt Disney World Moms Panel. I sat by her for the What's New What's Next presentation. At the same time I also met Suzannah from Zannaland, also a panel member. Both ladies were super sweet, easy to chat with and have an instant rapport with and helpful.Felicia from Go Graham Go is really one of the nicest and easily approachable ladies you can imagine. A dedicated school counselor, I always enjoy people passionate about education. On her popular blog she writes about raising her toddler Graham and features product reviews and amazing giveaways and is one of Nielson's Top 50 Power Moms. Check her blog on Thursdays for a giveaway linky to find all sorts of contests to enter.I met the lovely Jennifer from The Dirty T Shirt, so named because with three kids she's got a ton of laundry, on one of our bus rides. A more experienced blogger than I and also one of Nielson's Top 50 Moms, she was quick to answer my questions and give me lots of tips. Well versed with technology she even gave me a poken, a social business card. Which I had never heard of, cause I am clueless about techie stuff. I kept running into her all weekend and it was great to keep seeing a familiar face. I really regret not getting a picture with her!Audrey from Mom Generations, I've been following on Twitter almost since I joined. She's a former fashion executive at Donna Karan International, one of my favorite designers, and gives great tips on making fashion accessible for moms and keeps me up to date on trends. I also met Danielle from Extraordinary Mommy at the same time and wish I could've talk with her more.
I met Christina from Cutest Kid Ever, The Angel Forever, and Techy Dad at our night time family event at Epcot. We all shared a table and good conversation. If you're looking for a fun meme to join, try Christina's Dear Kid Saturday and link up a letter to your child each week. It's a fun way to capture snippets of motherhood.
The Angel Forever and Techy Dad are a married blogging couple, who I exchanged parenting stories with. Unfortunately they had rather too much excitement during their trip with their active boys. Sick kids are never fun! She's yet another former teacher, I swear I think we all become bloggers when we stay home with our kids! He is very outgoing and blogs about an eclectic mix of fatherhood and techie tips. He's the only daddy blogger I read and it's interesting to get a father's perspective.
One really exciting moment was getting share a lunch table with the very well known blogger Janice, half of the twin sister team behind Five Minutes for Mom, a great online moms community, and one of the cohosts of the event. She was so friendly and put me right at ease, really an awesome gal and just a ball of energy. I'm surprise she managed to eat a single bite she was up and moving the whole time. I'd also like to thank her for the photo of me and Teach Mama's Amy near the top of this post. Lastly, I want to give a big shout out to Amy at Resourceful Mommy! She's responsible for my invitation to the conference and got the ball rolling to get me and my family to Walt Disney World. She's queen of the Twitter parties, great ways to learn about interesting companies and meet new bloggers. Join her NING group Global Influence, to stay up to date on campaigns you can be a part of. A lot of times you can also win fabulous prizes for participating in the Twitter parties she coordinates. I've yet to win anything but I can't complain too much. Look what I did win as a door prize at the conference!!! This super cute wristlet by Dooney & Burke featuring an exclusive Disney themed print only available at Disney Parks. For this purse obsessed girl it's the ultimate souvenir from an unforgettable trip.
Ugh... I am SO jealous! First I have to read about how everyone had a great time at Blissdom, and now this! ;)
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you enjoyed yourself! (Fair warning - I'm stowing away in your suitcase next time.)
How fun! i love meeting bloggy friends. It looks like a wonderful time!
ReplyDeleteXOXO
Jen
Awe! That looked like soooo much fun! I would love to meet you all face to face- my friends!
ReplyDeleteYou've done such an amazing job of recapping your trip that I almost feel like I was part of it. Thanks for all the time you put into telling the stories!
ReplyDeleteWow - impressive!! Looks like you had a wonderful time.
ReplyDeleteI love this!! It was so nice meeting you too - and I love all your pictures because now I can recognize who I missed meeting there :( Next time I'm going up to every person and saying hi! ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the kind words!
How fun this sounded!!!!
ReplyDeleteGreat photos too.
Blessings & Aloha!
I have something for you...and even if you are an award free blogger or have had this one given to you already...just know that I was thinking of ya! Please come and take a peek at what it is...
I loved meeting you too and am sad we didn't get a picture together too. Hopefully we will get another chance :) You are so sweet and kind and I am honored to have had the chance to talk as much as we did!
ReplyDeleteJealous? YES I am!! Wow it looks like fun. One of these days maybe we'll finally meetup..lol
ReplyDeleteSounds like an amazing group of bloggers! I am off to click on all your links now!
ReplyDeleteLooks like it was a great trip! Love the wristlet!
ReplyDeleteGosh how fun. What a great trip. I cannot wait to attend a conference some day!
ReplyDeleteWas great meeting you face-to-face. If you're going to BlogHer 2010, I hope to see you again there.
ReplyDeleteLove your post! Still catching up on those here. It was so great meeting with you and chatting on Thursday night. Loved your family :) Have to admit, I am pretty jealous that you won one of the wristlets - love it!
ReplyDeleteAhhhh! So fun! That would have been one of my favorite things...meeting other bloggers! I don't blog as much as I used too. I would feel so out of my element.
ReplyDeleteLove the wristlet! CUTE!! I would not give that to my kids;)