What a day! Pooped is an understatement. I was up at 5.30am (even set 2 alarms on my iphone!) to start getting ready and have enough time to do hair and makeup for the Aussie Bloggers Conference. I also felt a little pressure to look lovely since I had received my Westfield makeover. I hope Donny would be proud – I teamed my diana ferrari wrap dress with some black wedges and silver dangly earrings and wore it all day (so comfy) and then out to a bbq tonight. Thank you lovely facebook ladies for telling me to go with the wrap dress – it was the perfect choice.
But enough about my outfit – how was the conference you ask. Well it was so much fun and I’m ready to sign up for next year but I’m sure the organisers would love a rest. It should be a whole weekend too. So many lovely people to meet in person, give a cuddle to, chat to and I really enjoyed myself AFTER my panel. Nerves got the better of me and I needed to make 2 little trips to the ladies room in a short space of time. I made sure I sat next to Liss for a confidence boost and once we started talking it was fine. I calmed down. The hour we had on the panel went by super fast. Thank goodness for that. You can see a few pictures of me on the panel here…thanks Dani. I am looking a little serious, though. So focused.
Quick morning tea (coffee!), another panel where a male panelist received a lot more attention than the topics of discussion. Lunch……and you’d think I had never seen food before. All those delicious smells and for someone who normally eats rice crackers and hommous or half a cheese sandwich for lunch, well it was a real treat to have a hot buffet lunch that I didn’t need to make! Oh dear, just another sign that I really need to get out more! And will you check out the dessert trays, oh my goodness, I couldn’t keep my eyes off them. I settled on the strawberry and wasn’t disappointed.
Another coffee, then it was time for the SEO (that’s Search Engine Optimisation for the clueless like yours truly) and monetisation session. Sassy SEO was sweet, charming and knowledgeable. My kind of lady and I learnt so much in her little talk and realised I have a lot to learn. But check out her blog and resources if you are a little blonde and clueless like me in that department. Dave Lee from Nuffnang was up next and talked about working with brands and what they offer….obviously I know what they are talking about. Nuffnang has been kind to me and they are so lovely to work with. So nice to meet Lynda and Vanessa in real life too – hi girls! And then it was time to run out to meet retro daddy and head off to pick up our new car!
woohoo, new car! Unfortunately, we had no idea we’d sit in bumper to bumper traffic that is Sydney (on a late saturday afternoon with roadworks on the harbour bridge) for the next 90 minutes and I’d have the sweet sounds of screaming children to listen to. That had us running seriously late to a bbq up the road and thankfully the hostess with the mostess had a cocktail ready for me on my arrival – I’m not a drinker so she made it weak and it was just what I needed! Retro daddy made several trips back down the street to our house for bottles, nappies and supplies and I tried not to feel terrible for arriving empty handed. I never do this but will make up for it with wine and fancy chocolates tomorrow. We enjoyed a lovely bbq dinner, fabulous company (I better write that since the ladies are popping in to check out my blog!), happy children, the best ricotta cheesecake I’ve tasted and then home at 10pm to have a little glass of wine (ok mine is little, retro daddy’s is not).
So, all in all a big day out for this normal homebody. I have very sore feet, a tired mind (and body) and am well and truly ready for bed. A huge thank you to the organisers of the conference, it was an amazing first bloggers conference that ran seamlessly and is a true credit to you and the hours you put in.
Oh, Corrie, you legend for doing this before you go to bed! Thanks so much for the update – I’d better make plans for next year ☺. J x
Sounds like a great day – very busy and succesful. Well done
Maybe a nice quiet drive in the new car tomorrow
WOW – it all looks fabulous. Thanks for sharing with us :O)
It so looks like you had a lovely time (aside from the sore feet lol). Thanks so much for sharing….and talk about committed to have this done before bed – nice work!!
Sounds like a lovely day. Those desserts really do look yummy. Thats always one bonus of going to a conference
Sounds great, a long day, indeedy, i’d say rest up but you have a new car to play with & Mathilda’s to prepare for. NO it never ends!! IF they do one next year, i might try to attend to. Love Posie
The conference sounded like so much fun! I’m attending my very first blog conference (Blogher) this summer and I’m so excited. I can’t wait!
I love your blog and your kids are so cute. I have the opposite- three boys and one girl.
Glad you enjoyed yourself, Corrie. Reports indicate that you did a really fine job indeed!! x
What a mammoth day. Thank god for cocktails.
It was such a rewarding experience and I love your photos! (Ahem I’m surprised you didn’t take pics of those hilarious tweets about a certain male panelist 😉 )
I don’t think we had a chance to say hi. Love that you took a pic of the food! You did a great job on the panel.
Hi Corrie, Terrific to meet you again and I think our panel went really well. And never fear, you looked great
Glad you had a good day! Thanks again
Thanks for the kind words about the conference Corrie. I enjoyed hearing your thoughts on the content panel. Kristin, Ms Sassy SEO was certainly impressive. I am looking forward to talking to her more.