I’m “back” from my very first BlogHer conference ever, and y’all? It was epic.
Besides the keynotes from amazing speakers like Girl Scouts’ CEO Anna Maria Chavez, Journalist and Starfish Foundation Founder Soledad O’Brien, #BlackLivesMatter Co-founders Patrisse Cullors and Opal Tometi, Essence Editor in Chief Vanessa De Luca, and writer, producer, and director Ava Duvernay; the sessions packed with information designed to take our blogs to the next level; and all the action at the expo; there was so much excitement and unbelievable awesomeness that I had to narrow it down for you guys.
If you’re following @mymommyvents on Instagram–and if you’re not, what are you waiting for?–you’ve seen just a small part of the fun I had. Condensing my entire BlogHer experience into a 15 second video just wasn’t possible, but if I spilled everything, you’d still be reading about it at Thanksgiving.
In a day and half (I didn’t attend on Saturday and Sunday because we were celebrating DaddyVents’ birthday), I managed to see, meet and take pictures with people whose blogs I’ve been reading for years. I rubbed shoulders with folks I’d only seen online or in magazines. I got to be in the same room as some of the Greatest of All Time. I didn’t want to overwhelm you with amazingness, so here are my personal top three, most epically awesome moments from BlogHer 2015.
#3 Winning a prize from Amazon.
The #AmazonAtHome suite featured the latest Amazon devices, top toys and games for the holidays, information on the Kindle FreeTime app, and the new Amazon Fresh and Amazon Baby Registry services. Each day, prizes were randomly given out to attendees who stopped by, and I was one of them! I already love my Kindle, so it was great to be given a gift card to fill it with more books, apps, and magazines.
#2 Having a question about my picky eater answered by Heidi Murkoff.
If you’ve ever been pregnant, you’ve probably got a copy of What to Expect When You’re Expecting on your bookshelf. Imagine the author giving you in person, expert advice on what to offer your two year old–that’s what happened to me! At Happy Baby’s Get Happy event, I asked about The Emcee’s vegetarian preferences, and got a list of foods to include in his diet, along with the reassurance that it was okay for him not to want to eat the chicken I’d made for dinner. And then, I got to chit chat with Happy Family founder and CEO Shazi Visram about the yummy Happy Tot pouches that my son enjoys.
#1 Meeting MrsTDJ, Awesomely Luvvie, Danielle, and all the #BLMGirls.
I remember reading MrsTDJ’s blog and loving the way she told stories. She wrote with such a passion and fear of cats, just like me. It was so great to finally meet her, the big sister I’ve had in my head for years. She gave me the biggest hug, and then told me how short I was. I’ll have you know that I’m 5’5″ and three quarters, thank you very much.
I’ve read Awesomely Luvvie for a while and have always learned and laughed. Her take on pop culture with a healthy dose of today’s social issues are just a few of the reasons why she’s winning the internet. I had a total fan girl moment when I met her–like mouth open, awkward grin, and the most breathless, gushing introduction ever. “YoutoldmetosayhionTwitterandthenIsawyouandohmygod!” But it was crazy that I was actually able to speak to her, because I’d just been reading her words in this month’s Essence Magazine.
I’ve known Danielle since 2012. We’ve talked, laughed, and poked fun at each other. We planned the Mommy Conference together. We talk almost every day–but we’d never met each other in person until BlogHer. It was like meeting a best friend. It was great to be able to support her as she spoke about the tips and tricks to focus, organize, and get work done. Along with Sam Horn of The Intrigue Agency, Dani taught us to think like a CEO, and gave us the tools to tackle blogging with ease.
Bloggers Like Me is a community of bloggers designed to support and emower one another. I’ve met so many great women online that it was like a family reunion when I finally got to meet them. Dani and I met up with Phnewfula of Shop Happy Mango and Keisha of The Girl Next Door Is Black for lunch, and the ladies of Digital Sorority gathered us together for an evening of cocktails, natural hair, and bonding. We chatted and strengthened the friendships we had begun online, got advice, and had a great time.
I had the greatest, most epic, most awe inspiring time at BlogHer! Will I see you there next year?
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Wow Tiffany! You go! You totally capitalized on this conference and that’s the way to do it. The first BlogHer conference I attended I learned so much but was new to the game and wasn’t involved in any networks or Twitter “friends.” You did it right and many of us newbies and oldheads can learn from you. Congratulations on the Amazon win!
Thanks,Kim! It was a great experience. A little overwhelming at first, but it was nice to finally meet people I’ve “known” for years.
What a wonderful recap here Sis! Yes, though BlogHer was a bit taxing and overwhelming at times, I had a blast and felt blessed to be able to attend.
Meeting the BLM Girls was one of the best parts for me!
Hold up! You won that great prize from Amazon! YES and See, You are Winning (literally!)
Blessings,
Yulunda
I couldn’t believe it,Yulunda! I never win anything.
I haven’t had a chance to breathe or even formulate a thought in my head for re-capping BlogHer15! I got invited to The #AmazonAtHome suite, but never quite got there, so thanks for that peek in!
I have met luvvie and I laugh when everyone goes all ‘fan girl’ she is as down to earth as it gets!
I bit off more than I could possibly chew, won a few contests on the expo hall floor, pet doggies from Rover and ASPCA, had more than enough to eat (snacked my butt off with treats in the expo hall between dunkin and baskin robbins) and got to meet the team behind Shea Mouisture, where there amaze balls hair stylist CUT my hair on the tradeshow floor and their makeup artist gave me life. It was a heck of ride, like always and I wouldn’t have it any other way!
Stop. Hold up. She CUT your hair? I got a quick jooshing up (that made my curls pop),but she cut your joint? That’s craaaaazy. But glad you had an epic time at BlogHer as well!
Looks like you had a great time! I definitely wanted to connect with Amazon, but I didn’t get a chance to do it. Congrats on your awesome win!
Thanks, Erin! The Amazon suite was pretty cool. Aside from my win, my favorite part just might have been the gummy bears…
I only comment on posts that mention me.
So… hey… great post.
LMAO
I LOVE LOVE LOVED meeting you in real life. SO SO glad you were not normal, and just as crazy and wonderful and perfect as you are online.
It truly was like meeting a best friend. Even Happy Mango thought we were besties from long time. #itskismet. Will you marry me?
But yea…. Blogher was awesome. I wish you’d come to blogalicious so we can rendezvous one mo gin.
My friend, it’s you who is the crazy one. And you attract even more crazy, ’cause “you deserve to be lied to.” (I quoted him, he’s an expert.)
Blogalicious is too soon! I’m still recovering from the festivities.
I’ve known Dani for a few years too and finally got to meet her earlier this summer in Florida. She wasn’t really ALL THAT…I KID, I KID! Dani is so much fun and always willing to help other build on their passions. Looks like a lot of fun and I LOVE your tapered TWA!
Right, Alisha? She ain’t. LOL! It was so good to finally meet her in person. Thanks for the comment (and the hair love)!
Fantastic recap little sis. You’re one of those amazing people that remind me why I fell in love with blogging in the first place. Having been around for 10+ years, it’s a beautiful feeling to finally meet and hug my peeps. Hugs until we meet again shorty! *lol*
Awww, thanks Taya! I’ll wear heels next time, lol!
Blogher15 was my first experience at a blog conference. I was nervous. I was overwhelmed. However, I got a lot out of the experience. And it was a pleasure meeting people like you. I enjoyed reading this post. You look like you got a lot out of Blogher15