Just back from Blogher’ 13! It is the biggest & best blogger conference in the bloggesphere! Bloggers from everywhere came and even bloggers from over seas, England, France, even Australia! More them 5,000 blogger in one place! Wow! Blogher was in beautiful Chicago this year!
This was my first year going to Blogher and I knew no one. Crazy to think that I flew such a long way and didn’t know a sole. I just knew I would have a good time! And I did! I met some fabulous ladies who I’m sure I’ll keep in touch with. I learned a ton from other bloggers, workshops, presenters, and keynotes! A good time was had by all! Here’s my highlight reel of Blogher’ 13.
I would say my “theme” was sparkles! I had an adorable silver sparkle scarf and my plan was to wear it the whole time. However, with any good plan, plans change. Weather was not my friend in Chicago. Who knew that Chicago would be having a cold spell and I would be there to make history! July 27, 2013 was the coldest in Chicago history at 61 degrees! As you could imagine my awesome outfits & fantastic shoes were not so amazing anymore because I packed for summer! Who knew my weather app would be completely wrong and totally lie to me. I should have packed for winter!
Let me rewind… And tell you from the beginning…
Got my sparkles, awesome outfits & fantastic shoes!! Ready to knock-em dead & smooz with some amazing brands!! Excited to meet some fellow bloggers & learn some new thing! I was off like a prom dress!
Left my fantastic hubby & little dude for 4 fantastic days of fun Chicago style! My flight was good for the most part. Except I froze my booty off on the plane! Crazy! I was even wearing jeans & long selves! Not to self! Wear socks next time!
Seriously why do airports & airplanes draw all weirdos or am I the weirdo? But hands down best people watching ever! I’ve got the window seat, and right next to me is a nice guy probably similar age to me, an then in the aisle we got the business man complete with tie! No one talked. However, the couple in front of us was wearing surgical masks! What in the world. Maybe they knows something I didn’t!
We landed and I got my bags, and headed to the taxi line. Took the taxi to my hotel and checked in & unpacked. I headed out to find some lunch. I stumble upon a great market that had a cafe. I sat in the sun and ordered a bowl of Chili. It was 71 degrees in Chicago and windy. I was cold and could not warm up since my flight.
A few tables in front of me the people were leaving and the waitress began clearing their plates. A homeless man asked if he could have the left overs and the waitress said no rambling something else off to him. As soon as she walked away he grabbed the half eaten sandwich & left over fries from another plate and left.
Later that evening I went down to the lobby for a party. I met my first friend at Blogher’ 13 and I just knew from that party I would have a blast! I met some more people and they were also going to the same party I was going to later that evening so we decided to share a taxi!
This was by far one of my favorite parts of Blogher’ 13. The Fireworks Cruise on Sea Dog Cruises. It was cold out but it was worth the shivers!
The next day I picked up my badge from registration. I signed up for the Viewfinder, which was all about photography & videography. Pretty cool! Met some really nice people. Saw some interesting things…
I dipped out a little early because Michigan Ave was screaming my name! Seriously I just couldn’t focus on anything else! Screaming! “Come shop on Michigan” but it was the guy who signs Come Fly with me!
How wonderful shopping was! Got a few things and an amazing gold jacket! Love it! I was on a schedule and every minute was accounted for! I had to head back to the hotel and get ready for my next party! I got all ready and out the door I was! I tried to get a taxi but the doorman told me it wasn’t even a block away. So I walked!
The Sweet Suite! Let me just tell you how Sweet it was! As I walk into the beautiful glass building that was next to the Chicago River the views outside were amazing. Inside was even more spectacular. I felt like I walked onto Candyland and I was one of those plastic gingerbread girls! But a better dressed version & with cute shoes! Sweet treats every where from chocolate covered goodness to big lollipops! And every toy brand you could think of! My favorite party at Blogher!
After Sweet Suite I had to book- it back for a fabulous dinner at Shula’s where I met even more fun people! Have to say the people at Blogher have all been amazing! Everyone was so nice! My dinner was awesome! Things on my plate can’t touch! My dinner came on a giant plate! LOL! Not sure what the crazy sauce was wasn’t that brave!
The next day was the first day of the Blogher’ 13 Conference! It was huge, fun, exciting, and eventful! Here are my highlights!
Oh! Don’t you just love my jacket! So the silver sparkle scarf may come back to Blogher next year. However, my gold jacket with absolutely be there!
Liz says
It was great meeting you at BlogHer, Sarah! You are very brave to have gone by yourself, as well ๐ last year and this year there were a few Detroit bloggers I knew who went, so I did know some people going in to it.
Thank You Honey Blog says
Hi Liz! So happy to have met you! Fun times! Have to say we took some awesome pics Friday night @ the Blogher parties! Can’t wait till Blogher ’14!
polly bland says
Chicago is so close to where I live! It looks like you had a blast! Michigan Ave is soooo wonderful!
love, polly ๐
pollybland.com
Thank You Honey Blog says
So wonderful!! Hoping Blogher’ 14 is in Chicago again! Thanks for stopping by!!
Jennifer says
I’m so glad you found your fab gold jacket to keep warm, but even happier that we met on the very first night and I made a new friend. ๐
Thank You Honey Blog says
Jennifer! Thank you, thank you! I’m so happy I met you!! Thank you for being so sweet!! xoxo
Christina says
You summed it up nicely! Great meeting you at Blogher13.
Thank You Honey Blog says
Hi Christina! Great meeting you too! Thanks for stopping by!
Launna says
It looks like you had an amazing time, that is wonderful ๐
Thank You Honey Blog says
Thank you!!! I did! Can’t wait till next year!