Sweet 'n' Sassy Girls

My Thoughts on BlogHer 09

Posted on 27. Jul, 2009 by Trish in Trisha

Wow, what a weekend.  I don’t even think I can write everything right now.  I still have a lot to process.

First off I’m glad I went and experienced it.  If anything, I help spread the word about some awesome companies, like MomTV/New Baby, Nosefrida, ShooShoos, Southern Magnolia Minerals, Chic and Unique Boutique, and Skin MD Natural.  I was able to combine my interests, like decorating a MomTV bag with all the flower clips from Chic and Unique that everyone thought was adorable.  They thought it was part of the bag!  This allowed the conversation to open and for me to tell everyone about both companies.  I didn’t get to do as many makeovers using the skincare from Skin MD Natural and the makeup from Southern Magnolia Minerals as I wanted, which was sad.  People just didn’t care as much as I thought they would.  But I was still able to hand out plenty of cards and samples to everyone.  If you are looking for a good mineral makeup, I highly suggest Southern Magnolia Minerals.  They are completely affordable and are super high quality!

As for the actual conference itself, I was a little disappointed.  I went hoping to meet tons of new people and really network.  I don’t feel like that was really achieved.  I exchanged a lot of business cards, but I don’t feel like I really got to know anyone else.  It was almost too big for that.  I think it would be great to do several different conferences locally to make it more intimate, that way people can get to know others.  It really felt like if you weren’t in a group of people you already knew, then you didn’t belong.  Which was sad.  It felt a lot like high school.

I also had to deal with my camera dying on me, so I didn’t get to take as many pictures or videos as I wanted.    I meant to charge the battery before I left and that’s one of the things I forgot.

Next up were the parties.  I didn’t go to very many, because they all seemed to be loud and crowded and you couldn’t even hear each other talk.  I did get the wonderful chance to go to the Land of Nod and hear about Stokke products, which I am now in love with.  Here is a picture of all of us who went to dinner at Sangria.  It was yummy!

I’m the tall one in the back that like half a head taller than everyone else!  LOL!  I wore my wonderful green Duck Beach dress  from Shabby Apple and got so many compliments on it.  Several people said they had the same dress because they loved it so much!

I also went to BowlHer and had fun dressing up for their contest with Project Runway.  They said to come bowling chic, or dress like the stars of yesteryear.  I had so much fun.  I even made a pillbox hat and found the perfect gloves.  I got there a little later than I wanted because I was trying to help a friend deal with some drama (and there was a LOT of drama that went on!) but I still got there in plenty of time.  I walked in and everyone immediately said, “Oh you will win for sure!”  I didn’t, but oh well.  I thought Moosh in Indy did a great job dressing up too and she was so cute.  I had a lot of people ask me if I had won as I left, and when I told them no they said I should have.  So it looks like I had the people’s vote, and that is OK by me!    It was still fun to dress up.  I didn’t get a chance to bowl, but it was still fun.

I tried to go to some of the classes, but most of them weren’t all that interesting to me.  They seemed pretty basic, or very opinionated.

And then there was the swag.  Oh my.  I’m sure you already heard about the mayhem with that.  It seemed like people would do anything to get some product for free.  There were actually some physical fights over things.  That or people taking stuff before it was even set up.  Or taking multiple items because they had multiple kids.  So instead of everyone getting one of something, some people walked away empty handed, while others had 5 of some things.  I’m not saying getting free stuff was bad, but when you show up 15 minutes after they start handing it out and they are already gone, it’s a little much.

I still came home with plenty of things, and even had to adjust some things because my bag was 6 lbs over.  I didn’t want to pay $50 for 6 lbs worth of stuff.  I managed to get my bag down to exactly 50 lbs.  I have to say though, that on my flight out there, my one big bag was checked by security, but they forgot to zip up the outside compartments!  So when my bag came out on the luggage carousel, it was unzipped and things were falling out.  I hope I got everything from there.  I was a little disappointed in Southwest for that.

I can tell you there was a lot of hype and worry about the clothing that was being worn, and I admit I got caught up in it.  I felt like I needed a new wardrobe, when honestly I would have been just fine with what I had.  Oh well.  Live and learn, right?

In all honesty, I thought it was built up so much that I expected something amazing and it wasn’t like that.  I honestly don’t know if I would go again or not.  I might write some more on my experience if I can form it into words, but I hope that gives you a basic overview of my trip.

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