Welcome to Snarkfest

Welcome to my snarky corner of the web. Join me as I discuss everything from wine to chocolate. There may be a few other topics mixed in there too. I talk a bunch about my amazing offspring, 24 and 21. I sometimes go on and on about my secret crush on the amazing Mike Rowe. I talk about things that irritate me or things that make me happy. Sometimes I just talk to hear myself talk. Feedback is always appreciated but please make sure it's respectable. No nudity or profanity. I'm the only one allowed to be profane. But any and all snark is welcome and appreciated!

Thursday, June 19, 2014

Remember that blogging conference I attended? Check this out!

Oh I know what you're saying, you don't have to speak it aloud. You're saying to yourself, "She went to a blogging conference over a week and a half ago so why hasn't she posted anything about it? What a loser." Well shut up. You don't need to harp on me, I know I've been a lazy slug. But geesh, I DO have a full time job ya know. AND a house to keep (excuse me: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA). I'm sorry but life's been busy, so cut me some much needed slack, okay?

There is a bunch of stuff happening that you may not know about so I'm slowing making my way back into the blogiverse. One idea at a time.

BlogU14 was absolutely amazing. Like, totally phenomenal. I geeked out from the minute I got out of my car until the minute I left the parking lot for the long (long) drive home. The first 2 people I came upon were Rebecca of Frugalista Blog and Kerry from House TalkN. And let me just tell you, I was TOTALLY star-struck. Seriously. These are blogging ROYALS in my book. I love them and I wasn't afraid to tell them (over and over. I think there may be a restraining order (or 9) in my future). I feel like the teacher from Romper Room with the following sentence: I saw Jessica from Four Plus an Angel, Bethany from Bad Parenting Moments, Stephanie from Binkies and Briefcases and one of my ULTIMATE faves, Meredith from Mom of the Year. I turned the corner to get my name badge and saw Kim from Let Me Start by Saying. Oh. My. God. Then I went into the candy bar and met Andrea from Underachievers Guide to Being a Domestic Goddess and Tara from You Know It Happens at Your House Too. Holy Blogging Gods, Batman!! I've died and gone to blogging heaven. Then, slowly I turned around and found myself face to face with her. THE ONE. The genius behind People I Want to Punch in the Throat, Jen. I probably scared her a little, what with the drooling and the blank stare, but I was starstruck. Know who else I got to meet?? Karen from Baby Sideburns. She's so tiny I could put her in my pocket, but I didn't because that'd be totally creepy. (but seriously, I could have).

But you know what the REALLY bizarre thing is? People knew ME. ME! Folks were coming up to me and saying "Oh my God you're Snarkfest? I LOVE you!! Tell me about meeting Mike Rowe!!" It was just a very surreal experience. I texted my husband and said "Hey, how weird is this? People KNOW me here, people are coming up to me like they KNOW me." His response was this: "You are a famous blogger, who interviews famous person." You can read about that here and watch all the videos here.

And the one thing I know you're ALL thrilled about (since you all had to deal with me posting, FB'ing and Tweeting every damn day about how I wanted to #getschooled at #BlogU14) is that I WON BACK MY REGISTRATION FEE!! Here I am with the stunningly beautiful Anna Luther from My Life and Kids as she gives me my money. Isn't she gorgeous?? (and not because she's giving me money, I swear).

Photo courtesy: @TheBlogU on Twitter
Friday we had an opening reception (with cookies! and beer!) and I got to meet a bunch of my fellow Pee Alone authors. VERY excited to meeting them in person. I was totally fangirling out. I met so many awesome folks that night that my head was spinning. My roommate and fellow Pee Alone co-contributor Bethany Meyers of I Love Them Most When They're Sleeping was the QUEEN of photobombing that weekend, as you can see from these pics below:

Me and Katie from Somewhat Sane Mom (and Bethany)

Me and Carisa from Do You Read Me? (and Bethany)
I was so excited to meet so many of my favorite bloggers at Friday night's welcome party:

UN-Photobombed pic of me and Katie from Somewhat Sane Mom

My gorgeous roommate Bethany Meyer and me

The 3 sexy moms who wrote It's Really 10 Months. LOVED these ladies, from L to R, Natalie, Kim, Me & Celeste

Totally hilarious Suzanne from Toulouse & Tonic

Holy crap I'm almost sitting on Kim Bongiorno's Lap! Kim's the genius behind Let Me Start By Saying

I was so happy I got to meet Paige Kellerman in person, I almost peed! (ok maybe I did pee)
Me and Nicole Leigh Shaw, Ninja Mom. She's tiny and the most hilarious person I've ever met

OH. MY. GOD. Meeting Rebecca from Frugalista Blog made my night!!!

The sessions that the faculty led for us were informative, educational and pretty much KICK-ASS full of great advice for bloggers. The topics ranged from going from writing a blog to a book, dealing with Pinterest, Twitter Facebook and Insta-something or other. Also on the list of subjects was how to make money with your writing and your blog, becoming a better writer and so much more. The selfless bloggers who doubled as our teachers were so generous with their time and their knowledge, and I applaud every one of them for what they did for us.

After all the sessions were over, we ate the crap outta some awesome cupcakes and then headed back to our room. Bethany, Michelle from Momma O's Musings, and Marguerite from Skipping Towards Happiness decided to go outside and enjoy the remainder of the amazingly beautiful weather. We sat on the lawn of this truly incredible campus and soaked in the sun and spoke about a million different topics.

After dinner, we came back to the room and got ready for the prom thrown for us by the folks at NickMom. And yes, here is how I looked in the dress. THE dress. The dress I got from Goodwill that nearly killed me.

Sexy anonymous date and me. You can't see my butt bow from here.
What an amazing time at the prom. I danced more at the NickMom Prom than I did at my own prom 12 years ago (or so). Shut up. It was an absolutely blast, as you can see from these pics.

Our suite-mate Caroline from Not Enough Wine in the World

Sexy bitches, Christine of Keeper of the Fruit Loops and Bethany

Bethany, Celeste, me, Natalie and Kim (It's Really 10 Months) We. Are. Hot.

Quite possibly my favorite picture of all time. Me and Kerry from HouseTalkN.
She was my Long Duck Dong. I was her sexy girlfriend.

The beautiful Carrie from Just Mildly Medicated. Don't let the chair fool you, she rocked out!

Jennifer of Real Life Parenting. I felt like I had known her for years!

This is the sexy Shit-Tay-Tay, aka Stacia from Dried On Milk
The one guy who came to BlogU14 turned out to be just a fantastic fella! Mike from Papa Does Preach                 

The incredible faculty who schooled us at BlogU14. I love every one of them. Hard.
But as is always the case, all good things must come to an end. We woke up Sunday morning and went to this PHENOMENAL little hole in the wall called Paper Moon Diner. When I tell you that this place has unbelievably amazing food, I swear to God I am NOT lying. We were STUNNED at how delicious this food was. If you find yourself in the Baltimore area, GO TO THE PAPER MOON DINER. I swear, you will NOT be disappointed.

So there is my BlogU14 recap. I had a tremendous time and I can't wait to go to BlogU15 next year!!


17 comments:

  1. Woo Hoo! Great recap! Thanks so much for the mention! I am humbled, cause my 10 followers may be followed by a few more! Loved meeting you and hope we can hang out again sometime before BlogU15!!! Much Love (and I still have your hairspray! I am keeping it hostage until we get together again!)

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    1. If hanging out with you again is ransom, I'm willing to pay!!!

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  2. I LOVE this! I wish I could go, but I would want to write all about it on my blog, too, and of course include pics, but I have to stay anonymous, so I wouldn't be able to. So until I can come out of virtual hiding, I'll have to skip BlogU. But I love the write-ups that I've been reading!!

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    1. Just sent you a message on a Google+ hangout to let you know that you absolutely CAN go to a BlogU conference and remain anonymous!! Email me for info!

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  3. You can come sit on my lap to catch up, anytime. :) Thanks for coming and being SUCH a vocal asset to the conference. You're like a tiny cheerleader on my laptop!

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    1. Awwwww thanks Kim, and you are a tall, gorgeous rock star on crutches.

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  4. You and Kim B. could go on the road and be a ventriloquist act! You are cuter than CUTE!! I'm so glad you had a great time.

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    1. Stacey, you coming next year??? I'll be your dummy!!! :)

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  5. You're awesome. And fun. And you make me wanna be you.

    Yeah. I said it.

    I gotta have the dress though. Brings back many prom memories.

    =)

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  6. I didn't know you went to Paper Moon? That was always our go-to spot in college. Isn't it fabulous?

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    1. AMAZING!!! We were SHOCKED and excited to eat such great food!!! Who knew???

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  7. Hi Teri - You forgot the best part of the conference... THE fabulous Coconut Head in her fuchsia pink prom dress cutting it up on the dance floor! I know you wanted my autograph but was too scared to ask LOL! Great attending with you and e-meeting you after. 4EVR BlogU Sisters!!! Hugs, Holly

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    1. I took pics of you all night and have created my own Coconut Head shrine to you. Shhhh, don't tell anyone.

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  8. YOU were one of the ones I was intimidated to meet! And then of course, I didn't even really have the balls to introduce myself to you. I just kinda sidled up to you like we'd already met. ;) I heart you!

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    1. Really??? You were intimidated?? Is it the F word? I drop that too often. I'm so glad you sidled up to me like we were old homies!!!

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